DAY 134: Passing Through Things Temporal

DAY 134

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

pastorrobert@paxpres.org

Week Twenty – Sunday 26 July 2020

Passing Through Things Temporal

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - The Book of Common Prayer: Prayer for the Sunday closes to 27 July

The tiny infant was born premature and with complications. I stood with the family around her incubator, reached inside with some water on my hand and placed my hand with that water on her forehead and gave the gift of baptism to her little life. She died the next day and a few days later I conducted her memorial service, her father giving the message. In another church I visited with a woman who was 100, whose funeral I did shortly after the visit. A few days or 100 years – both ‘passed through things temporal.’ We all do.  

Temporal – it comes from the same Latin root ‘tempus’ or ‘tempor’ from which we also get our word ‘time.’ Many old grandfather clocks have these words on their face: “Tempus Fugit,” time flies, and indeed it does:  we “pass through things temporal” in the ceaseless movement of time  unable to slow it down. Things temporal can include possessions, positions, relationships, or ?

So how do we pass through time, “through things temporal” and “lose not the things eternal?” This takes intentionality on our part, passive Christianity being non-productive. Paul gives us a template for each day on our temporal journey when he reminds us to “…not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Thus in

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 the temporal and the eternal are constant companions on our journey.    

Reflective question: As you pass through things temporal, what things eternal come to mind?

Reflective Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:18 – “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 

Reflective hymn:

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” – Helen Lemmel (1864-1961)

O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.