Reflecting on these readings, especially the gospel, I was reminded of a song written by Curly Putnam and made famous by country singers, including the late Johnny Cash.
The old home town looks the same, as I step down from the train, and there to meet me is my mama and my papa. Down the road I look, and there comes Mary, Hair of gold and lips like cherries. It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home.
The old house is still standing, though the paint is cracked and dry, and there’s the old oak tree that I used to play on.
Down the lane I walk with my sweet Mary, Hair of gold and lips like cherries. It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they’ll all come to see me, Arms reaching, smiling sweetly. It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home.
Then I awake and look around me, at the four gray walls that surround me, and I realize that I was only dreaming. For there’s a guard, and there’s a sad old padre, Arm in arm, we’ll walk at daybreak. Again, I’ll touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they’ll all come to see me in the shade of the old oak tree, as they lay me ’neath the green, green grass of home.
The unexpected ending of this song resonates with I hear Jesus talking about in this gospel. In effect he cautions us, “The hour will come when you will die, just as that man did. No one knows when that hour will be except my Father, but it will come.” Unlike the convict, whose time is up, we are being given a second chance at life here and now.
When my mother died, I read a book entitled On Death and Dying by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, a doctor who worked extensively with terminally ill patients. Commenting on the reflections of their own lives as they awaited death, she writes, “They saw in the final analysis that only two things mattered: the service you rendered to others and love. All those things we think are important, like fame, money, prestige, and power are insignificant.”
Dr. Kubler-Ross’ conclusion tallies perfectly with what Jesus taught in his lifetime, a message he tells us that will never pass away. Just four weeks ago, we heard him say, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.” Can we say the same about ourselves? Have we come to serve?
Using what is called apocalyptic language, Jesus is urging his followers to be ready for the moment when life as we know it comes to an end. Some of us will be given ample notice with the diagnosis of a terminal illness as my friend, Kay Keyes, was when she became ill months ago with cancer. Others will have no warning like those whose lives end abruptly in a tragic accident or on a battle field in distant Iraq yet ideally when the moment comes, we will be ready.
Imagine the moment being for you right now. How satisfied would you be with the quality of your record of service and love? Unlike the convict in Curly Putnam’s song, we have another chance, beginning today, so what shall we do?
Dare we follow the example of the psalmist who sings, “I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.” He does so, knowing that God will not abandon him. “You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights of your right hand forever.” Clearly, he was not afraid to place God first in his life! Are we?
In a nutshell, when Jesus arrives to greet us personally, he will want to know what we have done with our lives and with the many gifts we have received. The only thing that really matters, as many a dying person has testified, will be the service and love we have given to God and neighbor. While we cannot undo the shortcomings of the past, we can ask ourselves, “How we better live the rest of our lives?”
We can easily put off answering that question just as we often tend to put off contemplating our own mortality, but that is a question we had better answer before it is too late.
Stewardship provides us with the tools for living that better life, namely, a life of total accountability and responsibility, acknowledging God as creator and owner of all. As stewards, we should see ourselves as caretakers of God’s gifts. Stewardship pleases God because the good steward is careful of creation, is respectful of justice and charity, and is prayerful at all times.
Our offering of time, talent, and treasure is a statement that we belong to God. It is an act of faith, an act of trust, an act of worship, and an act of belonging. It is living out our commitment as disciples of Jesus to be Christ-centered rather than self-centered. If we value our eternal happiness, we will heed the warning in this gospel and put our books in order, making peace with God and our neighbors.
The prophet, Micah, provides us with a good summary for living this life, “This is what Yahweh asks of you; only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and walk humbly with your God.” Do this and you shall shine brightly like the stars forever.