Precious Moments

In our production-oriented society, being busy, having an occupation, has become one of the main ways of identifying ourselves. Without an occupation, not only is our economic security endangered, our very identity is endangered. This explains, in part, the fear that many people have when they face retirement — as if to say, “Who are we when we no longer have an occupation?” But more enslaving than our occupations are our preoccupations. To be preoccupied means to fill time and space before we get there. Scripture defines it as “anxious worry.” It is filling our minds with ” What ifs?”: What if my child isn’t home on time? What if I fail the examination? What if I can’t pay all the bills next month? What if the world comes to an end?

Possible career changes, possible family conflicts, possible illnesses, possible disasters can make us anxious, fearful, nervous, greedy and suspicious. Our freedom to trust the moment is restricted. Our lives are so preoccupied…