The Renovating Reverend

Philosophy, as an academic study, has not interested me too much over the years, despite my appreciation for the writings of philosophers and humorists (who are often philosophers in disguise). Of the more well-known philosophers, Albert Camus is on my “top 5 favorite” list. Even when his work has an air of frustration or hopelessness, it’s clear that life goes absurdly on, and it is worthwhile for people to work together and attempt to do things that are good and meaningful. Just as we might say the cynic is a deeply wounded romantic, it seems as though the absurdist was actually hopeful at heart, and I think that’s why I liked reading Camus’s work when I was young.

Recently, I happened to run across a quote from Camus that I don’t remember seeing before: “I shall tell you a great secret, my friend. Do not wait for the last judgment. It takes place every day.” To me, this means that all we’ve got is the present moment. We can only live one day at a time, and our actions have consequences today.

To be sure, there are times when we are powerless to influence anything except our own attitude, but even at those times, indeed in all moments, we do have the opportunity to influence life in positive or negative ways. Most ethical and religious systems agree that it is good to help those who don’t have enough to eat, no place to live, or no decent clothing—we are to care about our neighbor’s welfare. Most also agree that we do the work of God in the world, that we are “the hands of God.” No person can prove there will be a judgment day, or reincarnation, or any life after death. Different people from various religions can’t always agree on what is right and wrong. We can, however, learn to love and care for others daily. So, this being the case, why would we wait for some unknown future date on which God will set everything right? Perhaps because relying on a future judgment, or sternly warning others about impending judgment, might excuse us from any responsibility to examine our own lives or to love our neighbor? It’s so much easier to point a finger than to extend a hand.

Our actions have consequences today, and we can do our best to live this day, this moment, in love–or waste the opportunity to love on a game of blame and shame. May we always choose to let the love the Creator gives us flow through us to others. In so doing, we will push away the darkness of judgment, and bring a little bit of heaven to earth.