This is the sixth in a series on St. Benedict for Beginners. – The Editors
"Saint Benedict of Nursia" by Fra Angelico
‘We must do now what will profit us forever.’
The past is a memory and the future is a fear. The only reality is this present moment. Therefore it is in only in this moment that we can enjoy reality. But if the past is a memory and the future is a fear, it is also in this present moment that we can actually change the past and determine the future.
We can change the past because we can alter our memory of the past in this present moment. If something bad has happened we can use prayer to bring that memory into God’s presence for healing. Likewise, it is in this present moment that we are determining what sort of person we will be in the future.
What I decide, and the action I take right now will make my future happiness or misery.
Because of this Benedict advises us to live well in the present moment.
The bad decisions and actions will reverberate down through time to bear bitter fruit later. Likewise the good things we choose and do in this present moment will bear rich fruit in eternity.
That is why the Scripture says, ‘Today is the day of salvation.’
We have only this present moment to determine eternity. What will we do with it?
Fr. Dwight Longenecker is the author of “Listen My Son” – a commentary on the Rule of St Benedict for families. Visit Fr. Dwight’s website to buy a copy here.
Fr. Dwight Longenecker is the parish priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Greenville, South Carolina. He is author of thirteen books on the Catholic faith. Praying the Rosary for Inner Healing is available in Catholic bookshops and through his website: dwightlongenecker.com
Follow Fr. Longenecker on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/frlongenecker
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