The Rolling Stones famously sang, “Time is on my side, yes it is.” But priests know this is seldom the case. Often many of us are rushing from one event to another with nary a minute to eat. I knew a priest who, hurrying to open his darkened church, tripped over a kneeler, fell down some stairs and broke a few ribs. He, thankfully, was fine (minus the broken ribs) and later quipped, “It was a faster way to get where I needed to be.” I suppose that is true, but I imagine the time in the emergency room slowed him down some.

Father Jean C.J. d’Elbée, who has written some beautiful reflections on St. Thérèse of Lisieux, wrote something that has stayed in my mind. He writes, “Love makes time eternal by giving a divine value to everything.” Perhaps that is not always easy to digest as we sprint from place to place, but God is present in every moment of our day. Our task is to be aware that he is present, and to do all things out of love for him. 

At our parish, we have a men’s group that meets once a week at 6 a.m. to discuss the upcoming Sunday Scriptures. In addition, the men often share the joys and struggles in their own faith journeys. Once, a man was sharing a story about a difficulty in his family, and he began to speak hastily and with great passion. Suddenly, the digital assistant on his phone was heard to say: “I am sorry — please slow down. Something has gone wrong this time.” The room erupted with cathartic laughter, and even the man sharing his story had a hearty chuckle. It was a reminder of two things. One, God is always present, and we must be aware of allowing him into every moment so that we can spend time with him in our struggles. Two, Siri is also always listening, so we’d better be good for goodness’ sake.

St. Gerard Majella had a very good reflection upon how we can best think on the moments of our day. He writes: “Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity and reflect how everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it then, to lean upon that which cannot give support?”

‘This is the time of fulfillment’

It is certainly not always easy to think of the things of eternity when you have checks to sign, forms to fill out and a first reconciliation service to plan. However, we must also remember that all these things orient us to the things of heaven and to salvation. Otherwise, we run the risk of running around like chickens with our heads cut off until we simply collapse from exhaustion. Unless we operate from a position of communion with God, offering each moment of time to him, we will falter and fizzle out at some point.

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus begins his ministry by announcing: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand” (Mk 1:15). Our Lord knew, with certainty, what his purpose was, and he sought to draw all people into deeper communion with the Father. This is only possible when we realize that our days cannot be structured based on productivity. As far as I know, there is no award in heaven for those who accomplished the most tasks, renovations, programs or festivals. Instead, salvation is based upon charity and using the time we have to draw people into an intimate encounter with a God who loves us. This allows our time on this earth to have purpose and meaning beyond being efficient, which is often considered of utmost importance.

Yes, I am still not sure that time is on our side, but God is, and that is most important. The more we view our tasks as extensions of our love for God, the more we will find joy in our ministry. This means that we can find ways to love our time with the finance council, at a staff or diocesan meeting, and even while running through a church in the darkness to open up for Mass. Well, at least as long as we make time to turn on the lights.

FATHER MICHAEL ACKERMAN is the pastor at Resurrection Parish, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, and chaplain at Seton LaSalle Catholic High School in Pittsburgh.