There is a Time for Everything

Carnival Season is in high gear in Louisiana. The Krewe of Bacchus will be rolling at 5 pm with Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees as its king. Life is a celebration in itself. It's just that these times when we are excited and happy, we invest ourselves emotionally, throwing everything into it.

In the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, the author writes:

"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace. "

It is only in keeping all things in perspective and in time do we come to know and appreciate life. Labor balances with recreation, restraint and sacrifice balances with future success, learning and education balances with wisdom and proficiency. All of this requires patience and discipline. What has become commonplace in our society is the propensity to dismiss the seasons. Young people want a large home, new car, as much material possessions as possible, without the restraint and sacrifice to save for it. Learning and education become things that are in the vernacular "annoying." Sexual pleasure can't wait for the beauty and sanctity of a marriage. Many young men have a mantra of lets party now and not think about tomorrow, totally unbalanced. These young men take many years to attain adulthood, some well into their 30's and 40's. God made all things to be in perfect balance and harmony. Which brings us to the time of the Church known as Lent. Lent is a season of restraint, of giving back, of interior retrospect, of prayer, and most important a time to repent. It is a time to put celebration and self indulgence on hold. God's wisdom in giving us this season to reflect and give back through the Church and the sacramental life, is most beneficial, for it will make you a better human being. It will put into focus, by contrast, all the marvelous and wonderful things that life has for all of us. We have to take time from them to appreciate them. Lent is that time, a time to work on becoming holy.