For thousands of years, wisdom figures of most faith and humanistic traditions have said to us, over and over and over, that ‘Life is a Banquet to be savored.’ In 1972 my mentor, Lowell, had become frustrated by my behavior. I knew when he was frustrated for he would begin a statement with ‘Richard, I am confused.’
Lowell was a gentle soul and so he mostly spoke in whispers. On this morning Lowell welcomed me and began with ‘Richard I am confused.’ He smiled, a warm smile, and he paused. He continued: ‘You want me to take you to the banquet of life and when we get there all you want to do is eat quickly and go take a nap!’ How often during my life have I neglected to savor the banquet that is my life? How often have I missed the life-sustaining (if not life-saving) banquet that is available to me?
As I reflect upon Lowell’s words-counsel I am reminded of a story. Many years ago there were a number of folks trapped on a raft off the Coast of Brazil. They were perishing from thirst. They had no idea that they were floating on fresh water. There was a river coming into the sea and this river’s flow was so powerful that for miles into the ocean there was, indeed, fresh water.
In the same way you, Gentle Reader, and I are surrounded with nourishment (banquet and fresh water). We are surrounded by joy, contentment, happiness, caring and love. Yet, how many of us are not aware of the nourishing banquet and life-giving water available to us. How often do we miss these gifts because we are obsessed with ruminating about the past (‘letting go’ is perhaps the greatest challenge we face)? How often do we obsess about the future and feed our anxiety with our obsession?
The wisdom figures have told us, continue to tell us, over and over again: ‘Live in the now!’ ‘Be fully present to the now!’ For Christians the message of the ‘Good News’ is clear – the banquet is here NOW. How many Christians have the faith to accept this ‘Good News’?
Sitting here in one of my favorite coffee shops this morning I cannot begin to count the number of times I caught myself focusing on the future and missing the ‘now.’ I don’t think I am unique. How about you, Gentle Reader, how many times a day do you miss the ‘now’ and ruminate about the past or focus on the future (think: ‘What am I going to do this afternoon or this evening or tomorrow?’)?
I leave us this morning with the words of Anthony de Mello: ‘Wake Up! Wake Up! Pay Attention!’
Searcher-Seeker 