Tempus fugit

     There is a Latin phrase - tempus fugit - that is translated "time flies".  The older that I get, the truer that phrase is in my life.  Today was a day of reflecting upon the rapid passage of time.

     My sister, Janie, and I got together for lunch following Mass to celebrate the birthday of our Mom.  We did the same on Friday in honor of Dad's birthday.  February is their month, with both birthdays and their wedding anniversary.  Dad was born on February 9, 1920, and would be 98 years old.  Mom was born on February 11 in 1919 and would be 99.  They have been gone a number of years now, but the milestone of those birthdays is worth noting.  Their 72 wedding anniversary will be on February 17th.

     An interesting side story about Dad's birthday lies in the fact that he celebrated that day on February 5th, until he retired at 62, got his birth certificate, and found that the 9th was the real date.  In the intervening years, he celebrated on both days.

     Happy birthday, Mom & Dad.

     The quick passage of time is marked in other recognitions.  It is already six months since I began retirement from active pastoral ministry and five months in my new home.  Today marks five years since Pope Benedict announced his plan to retire from the See of Peter.  It will be forty-five years since I was ordained, and seventy-one years since I was born.  Last evening at Mass at Saint Paul Church in Greensburg, Father Jim Morley, the Parochial Vicar, as part of his very good homily, remembered that in his seminary days, they were only allowed to have air conditioners in the last years, and had to rely on fans in the warmer weather.  As I sat there, I recalled that in my day we were not allowed air conditioners or fans, but sweltered in the heat.  In fact, we did not have cell phones or i-pads, computers or other electronic devices (we did have electricity, in case you are wondering).  How different things were "in the old days".  And yet, we were as blessed then as we are now, maybe even more so.  The Lord's love, which is timeless and limitless, continues to guide and bless our lives.

     The Great Time of Lent begins this Wednesday.  Prepare your hearts, and celebrate with joy.