Strange Time

Time is an interesting thing. I reflect often on the difference between God's time and ours, kairos and chronos. And usually when I do I feel myself relax into a loving unknown over which I have no control but in which I believe to be grace-filled.

So many times in the Gospels we hear The time is now or the time has come. Usually it is in reference to the Kingdom! The Kingdom is here and yet to come.

That is the numinous notion of kairos. It is both reassuring and a call to follow and become part of the mission of God. As Mr. Rodgers' mother told him: look for the helpers in times like these. We are those helpers; we are Kingdom bearers!

I do not say these things in an apocalyptic way; rather I say them to promote or kindle hope. God is with us in the now. God is with us in the call to pray and care.The important part whether looked at from current chronos or mystical kairos is not to delay.

One of my favorite "helpers" is Bishop Charleston and here is one of his meditations:

“Now is the time for which our faith has prepared us. Now is the moment when all that we believe can be put to work. Now we can turn to the inner resources we have been developing over these many years to face the challenge of a world in desperate need. We are not afraid of this crisis for we have been made ready for it. We have devoted our lives to the belief that something greater than fear or disease guides human history. We have studied, prayed and grown in the Spirit. Now we come to the call to use what we believe. Our people need hope, confidence, courage and compassion: the very things for which we have been trained. We are the calm in the midst of a storm. Stand your ground and let your light so shine that others may see it and find their faith as well.”

It is no coincidence that he ends with a phrase used in offering, it comes from gratitude, it is grounded in faith. The time is now and now is.