(written in 2003)
"Let's do well while living together!" This is what a priest recommended we say while sharing our sign of peace during Mass on Sunday. We usually greet each other by saying "Peace be with you." His suggestion reminds me that at this present moment only we can share one another with all our existence. The past or the future is out of our hands.
A few days ago, one of our sisters' parents suddenly died of a heart attack while watching TV at night. He passed away as if he was asleep. Nobody expected he would die so soon like that. In fact, we don't know when and how our destiny will be changed.
Many times, life is like that. Something happens all of a sudden. Each of us comes and goes. If so, why do we often desire to have something more and more? Why don't we share joy and peace to the fullest at each given moment?
"Do well while living together" can be a catchphrase to promote peace and love among people around. We sometimes take those who are near us for granted and even pay little attention to those who are really close to us. So we talk less tenderly and lovely to those with whom we collaborate together while being careful and considerate of others at a distance.
I don't know why we are inclined to talk about something negative and critical. It seems that pointing out others' weaknesses and limitations is much easier than praising and encouraging. Even many newspapers are usually filled with sad or gloomy news.
I sometimes either regret my past mistakes and failures or look forward to having a bright spiritual future. In fact, these backward tendencies are of no great use. When I realize my reality, I try to calm myself down, keeping in mind that living in the present moment and appreciating its beauty to the fullest is much more important than anything else.
Many people have emphasized the importance of "here and now." We Catholics believe in purgatory and the heavens. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the most valuable time is the present moment. Living here and now, we can truly appreciate the truth and the beauty of humdrum life itself.
"I'll do it tomorrow." "I'll do it better in the near future." Such ideas are filled with hopeful and optimistic thoughts but also a somewhat lazy view of life. But the most precious moment in our lives is the present moment. Surely, here and now is an everyday slogan to lead to the fullest realization of our potential.
The present becomes the past and the future becomes the present. In this way, our times are continued in a circle. The cycle of the times ultimately remains in the present moment. The spot of each presence is going on and on.
What is the most crucial point in our lives? Of course, as I said earlier, it's the present. Every present moment will prepare for the future. This present moment is filled not only with difficulties and challenges but with hope and dreams as well. Being a stepping stone, our present moment lets us go forward.
What happens if I neglect the present moment? There is a story about the importance of the present moment, originally a story in J.D. Salinger's "Franny and Zooey" and quoted by "Seasons of Grace: Wisdom from the Cloister":
"…You don't even have sense enough to drink when somebody brings you a cup of consecrated chicken soup, which is the only kind of soup your mother ever brings to the sick. Just tell me. Even if you went out and searched the whole world for a master, guru, or some holy man to tell you how to say your Jesus Prayer properly, what good would it do you? How are you going to recognize a holy man when you see one if you don't even know a cup of consecrated chicken soup when it's right in front of your nose?"
This story lets us look for and appreciate the holiness and beauty around us. The preoccupied desire to learn Jesus' prayer blinded her to the reality of her mother's real gift. We have to realize the sacred in every day we face and in every person, we meet. It's good and lively to see the holiness all around us.
Appreciating the beauty and goodness in a given moment makes us lively and abundant. Neglecting, criticizing, or denying the beauty in everyday life will only lead to a dry and limited view of life.
The truth is not far away from us. It is very near us. Holiness is in the midst of an ordinary moment in our lives. Praying is very important, but appreciating the given moment is also precious and lovely. Why don't we touch the holiness and the beauty hidden in every moment of our lives?
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Nov. 24, 2003
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