We hear from many quarters the advice to relish the present moment. That it is in this
moment that God is present, that in living in the present we will find the key to meaning.
With the passage of time, it also is very easy to have settled in to certain habits, which we
barely notice repeating them over and over again. We have little awareness of living in
the “now.” It is with a contemplative mind that we gradually learn how to give one’s full
attention to what is actually happening now and its effect on us. In the mystery of this
moment, we do not let this time pass in vain. We notice with great joy the passing of the
seasons and their gift in the year we are living. From the flourish of summer with all of its
greening, to the many colors of fall, to the bleakness of winter, to the first signs of
budding life in the spring, we can come to grasp a part of what our human life can offer
us. We can learn not to fear but to receive with love what is going on outside and what is
going on within us. We also become aware of what is happening on the planet, our
common home. Each day becomes a stepping stone to living a fuller life, a life that Jesus
came to offer us.
• Is it hard for you to center yourself to experience the beauty of the present
moment?
• Do you find yourself constantly concerned about what is going to happen or what
has happened in the past?
• Is God present to you in your everyday experiences?
O God, help me have greater appreciation for each moment of my life.