Wednesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
(I Corinthians 7:25-31; Luke 6:20-26)
“Too soon old, too late smart” is a lament evidently originating
among German immigrants in Pennsylvania.
It describes the human condition of postponing education until one is
too old to profit from it. The phrase can
be applied to both readings today.
In the first St. Paul advises the Corinthians not too be
anxious about satisfying carnal desires.
He says that the Lord will be coming soon to fulfill their deepest longings. He advises complete attention to him. In the gospel Jesus acclaims the poor and downtrodden. He is saying that sooner than they might expect,
they will experience the happiness of the Kingdom.
We are used to thinking of the coming of the Lord in the
Kingdom in absolute terms. In this way
it is hard not to be disillusioned by his delay of two thousand years and
counting. But considering today’s
readings in terms relative to the individual person and with the German proverb
in mind, they make imminent sense. Death
comes inexorably to all of us. We must
prepare for this great encounter with the Unknown. We are to become humble like the devout poor and
attentive like virgins and widows who give themselves wholeheartedly to God.
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