Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
09/01/2022
Reflections by Annette Roux, Retired Pastoral Associate
"Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - Psalm 90:12
There is an old story told of a visit to a pottery studio in a small remote mountain village in Japan. As one of the artisans worked, he spoke through a translator; “I have lived 25,000 days," he began. "I have maybe 5000 more. You have lived 5000 days. You have maybe 25,000 more. His words tend to raise intense and contradictory emotions in our heart. First a feeling of incredible possibility. Then a reminder of our eventual end. Having our life summed to a round number naturally brings to mind the final “0” of death. Yet, when considered individually, each day seems limitless. I wonder if the wisdom the psalmist speaks of is the one capable of holding that paradox. Each day is birth and death, end and new beginning. We count them and remember their precious scarcity. We count them and remember that each holds the possibility of new and limitless life.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, your presence in each new day makes it count. Teach us to spend it wisely. Amen.
