Toward eternity December 27, 2022By Father Joseph Breighner Catholic Review Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary, Wit & Wisdom Many years ago, singer-songwriter Jim Croce wrote a song called “Time in a Bottle.” Some other singers have also performed versions of the song. I think of it as we begin a new year when many of us wish we could save time. When we’re young, it seems that good times go too fast. Christmas and summer vacations seem to go too fast, while school days seem to go so slowly. As we age, it seems all days somehow go too fast. “Where did all that time go?” we ask. “How did I get to be this old?” We do have a choice about how we view time. We can see the passing years and decades as simply growing older. Or we can see the passing years and decades as growing toward eternity. We yearn for a time when there will be endless joy with God and with all those we knew and loved on earth. I prefer this choice. From a purely human point of view, eternal joy with God seems too good to be true. Daily, we see the cruelty inflicted by Russian President Vladimir Putin on innocent people in Ukraine. His behavior in promoting a terrible war seems worthy of hell. And yet I wouldn’t want even someone such as Putin to suffer forever. I would encourage everyone to pray for all of us so that we will all go to heaven. A star would lead the Wise Men to the newborn Jesus Christ, our savior and our redeemer. The love of Jesus can be the star that guides all of us to heaven. So let’s allow this Christmas season – and the time after Christmas – to be a time to pray for the conversion of all humans to Christ. God worked the miracle of God in Jesus becoming one with us on earth. Let us pray in the year 2023 that God will work the further miracle of all of us becoming one with God forever in heaven. That’s my idea of the ultimate happy ending. Read More Commentary Rome and the Church in the U.S. Question Corner: When can Catholics sing the Advent hymn ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel?’ A steady light: Pope Leo XIV’s top five moments of 2025 Theologian explores modern society’s manipulation of body and identity Corridors of gratitude Encountering Christ in neighbors facing detention, deportation and loss Copyright © 2022 Catholic Review Media Print
