Time flies ... Eternity waits

Time flies ... Eternity waits.

I read somewhere that Pope John Paul II grew up across from a church with this engraved on its clock tower, or something like that. I remember the author wondering how that simple phrase must have influenced the young Karol Józef Wojtyła.

I'm thinking of this phrase as we begin Lent today. I love Lent. I realize that to some people this makes me a fanatic and to others it makes me a Catholic nerd. And I'm okay with this -- I'm a little of both.

I'm not going to talk about what I'm giving up for Lent, although I am giving something up. Rather, I'm going to talk about what I'm offering up for Lent this year. Pope Benedict XVI has, in his infinite wisdom, given us all something to strive for this season -- complete and total abandonment to the Holy Will. I can't imagine it was an easy decision to make, his abdication. Even with all his hours of prayer and communion with the Holy Spirit, I'm sure it was a painful epiphany for His Holiness. So, in accordance with his wishes expressed today and along with Kelly at This Ain't the Lyceum, I am going to offer up my Lenten prayers and sacrifices for Pope Benedict XVI and for a successful conclave.

Therefore we do not lose heart. ... For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.   2 Corinthians 4:16-18