Weekend Reflections for 10/31/14

"For me life is Christ and death is gain.  If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.  And I do not know which I shall choose.  I am caught between the two.  I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better.  Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit." -Philippians 1:22-24 

Paul speaks as if he has a choice as to when he will depart this life, and the choice is a tough one for him.  If he had his druthers, he would really like to die and be with Jesus.  On the other hand, he knows that there is still a lot of apostolic work for him to do here on earth.   

I cannot honestly claim to have the same predicament as Paul.  Given a choice, I would likely opt for sticking around here on earth for a while, not because my remaining would be of such great value to others, but, in all honesty, because I am enjoying myself here.  I would likely argue that I still have many retreats to direct, homilies to preach, sinners to absolve.  The truth is: I look forward to consuming more Ted Drewes concretes, enjoying family, and taking walks with a friend.  

And when my time to depart does come, I just hope it doesn't hurt too much.  In that, at least, I am like Jesus, who would rather have had the cup of suffering pass him by.  Hopefully, I can be like Jesus in saying to the Father: "Thy will be done".