A Life Well Lived Will Last Forever
I read a book titled, “Seneca On The Shortness of Life.” It is the writings of the philosopher Seneca, who lived from 5BC-Ad 65. His Stoic writings were shared with Nero, Emperor of the Roman Empire. These insights about reason and morality are as old as the scriptures written by the authors of our Gospels. If these timeless words from scripture and Seneca were lived by all people, the world today would be a different and more peaceful place.
Seneca expresses that people complain about the cruelty of nature and the shortness of human lifespan. He adds that the time we are given rushes by quickly and with very few expectations; therefore, life ends just as we are really getting ready for it. He states that we do not have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of the time we have. If our time is well invested, he believes that there is plenty of time for the highest of achievements.
His writings challenge us to take inventory of how our time is spent – time on ourselves, our business affairs, our social obligations, and the time we waste. He wanted people to take note of how much time is lost through groundless sorrow, foolish joy, greed, or the seduction of society. He reasons that people live as if we are destined to live forever!
Please remember the time period this was written. The Apostles also were preaching about what was needed to have eternal life – Jesus!
Seneca’s viewpoint stated that our time passes overflowing with a great need for supply of material things, yet our own frailty is of no concern to us. We devote each day to someone or something not concerned that it could very well be our last day. “You act like mortals in all that you fear, and immortals in all that you desire.”
He offers an answer for preserving tranquility, the means of restoring it, and the means to resist the faults that creep up on us unaware. He writes, “None of us is strong enough to persevere unless our wavering minds are surrounded by attentive and unceasing care.” I would add to this first-century logic that we also must be attentive and unceasing in prayer! Scripture often reminds us, “All things are possible with God.”
I recently attended two funerals. The first was on the campus of Notre Dame, where the Holy Cross Fathers celebrated the life of a successful businessman who passed away peacefully at the age of 95 with his wife of 71 years at his side. His success and generosity were shared with his large family and the people he loved, which included the Catholic Church and the University of Notre Dame. It was a celebration of a very long, active, and faithful life.
The next funeral Mass was very unexpected and emotional. The young man was only 16 years old, and he had just begun his junior year of high school. He had many years left to live on this earth with friends and family who loved him very much. Though he lived only a short time, his successful achievements were apparent by the attendance of more than 1,000 people and seven Catholic priests who concelebrated the Mass, which reminded us that his life is eternal.
The common blessings in both these situations were the strength provided by the Catholic Church, the presence of Catholic priests, and the gift of the Sacraments. This is how we persevere in the midst of all the challenges we face in the world each day.
Take the wisdom of Christ’s teachings and the writings of Seneca to heart. Value the time you have on earth, living every moment to the fullest. Appraise the actual things you are attempting to do each day with your God-given gifts. Match your strength to your task by preparing with prayer, so you will not get overwhelmed.
God designed a time for every purpose under heaven, and He also promises that we will live forever! Amen!
