Articles
So Much Wasted Time
Seventies teen idol David Cassidy passed away last week at 67 years of age. According to his daughter, his last words were simply, “So much wasted time.” Perhaps only he knows what he meant by that. On the one hand Cassidy enjoyed the privileges of celebrity status, musical success and physical attractiveness; on the other hand he had three failed marriages and was an alcoholic who died of liver disease.
The enticements of this world are powerful. We can be deluded by the false promises of fame and fortune and spend our lives pursuing the temporary high of earthly pleasure. Or, perhaps a greater danger to most is simply frittering away our precious hours and days on frivolous amusements.
Solomon’s assessment of the self-indulgent life: “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor … Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun” (Ecc 2:10-11). Jesus adds: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven … for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt 6:19-21). So much wasted time …
Worldly enchantments cannot satisfy the inner longings of the soul. But what a shame to realize it too late. Let us soberly evaluate the options of life and choose, as Mary did, “that good part, which will not be taken away” (Lk 10:42).
