In our parish for three days now we have been celebrating together with St. Stanislaus Kostka, our patron. On this occasion, yesterday the children staged a play entitled: „Thief of Time”. The plot was quite simple – we use our time for insignificant things and we don’t have enough for our relationships. I frequently catch myself seeing that the priorities of my ordinary day do not reflect my ideals. I don’t spend more of my time on what I consider important.
Recently, I am accompanied by a fragment of our Constitution, which refers to the stage of formation at which I am now after my temporary vows. „The young professed faces a new situation: that of living an apostolic life open to the world. Many different calls make themselves heard. She becomes aware of them through the problems and needs she discovers, as well as through her relationships and friendships. These calls confront her with choices, and her response will be an expression of her consecration, and of a whole new way of living in the world. ” I think this is a valuable tip not only for nuns. Each of us should make decisions in accordance with their vocation – be it a mother or father, or employee, student. Every disciple of Christ is to live in the world, but at the same time look towards Heaven. In this perspective, there is really no time for foolishness, there is so much good to be done! It might be worth it to realize today that the thief of our time is not some external force, but we ourselves – we steal time with our own choices. More or less conscious.
In Poland today we celebrate the feast of st. Stanislaus. He was not an example of a polite and obedient boy. But certainly he had time for the most important things. He took a great risk, fleeing from home to join the Jesuits, in opposition to his parents and the expectations they had for him. He walked on foot from Vienna to Rome to follow what his heart told him. We do not necessarily have to run away, but sometimes this attitude would be helpful. Sometimes we need to choose what is most important and not do something that others expect from us. You may need a moment to hide from the world and meet up with Jesus to gather strength for further action? You may need to look at your todolist and see what will really change the world, and what is only an addition? This is also the encouragement of today’s Gospel – if only we were as smart when it comes to the things for God’s Kingdom, as we are when it comes to finding time for our favorite time thieves.
