LIVING IN THE NOW

A Desert Father, Abba Moses, asked another Desert Father, Abba Silvanus, “Can a man lay a new foundation every day?” The old man replied, “If he works hard, he can lay a new foundation at every moment.”

Cynthia Bourgeault commenting on this says, “The real problem is not our sincerity. It’s our scenarios. It’s the tendency to turn this burst of new resolve into a project, a trajectory to be navigated along a set timeline, with success measured in attaining the goal. While this is all natural to our planning and managing minds, it’s already putting the project in the hands of the wrong manager. She continues, “The trick is simply to keep returning to the now.”

It is the present that gives us a chance to constantly renew ourselves and “build a foundation every moment.” Living in the now gives us the power for being present… right now, today. It is hard work not to live in yesterday or tomorrow but we can lay a new foundation every moment and with practice live in the now.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Jesus