Living in the Future: A Parable

A man desired to leave his homeland and live in a country far away across the sea; for this land was more beautiful and more peaceful than any other land. So he made arrangements to move but could not receive his property for seven years.

While he waited the man began learning how to speak the language spoken in his future homeland. In addition, he began practicing their familial traditions and social customs. He even wore their conventional clothing.

Some years went by and many countrymen inquired as to why the man was living so strangely. The man explained that although he was waiting seven years to move, he had begun living the lifestyle of his future and begun speaking the language spoken by his future countrymen. Fascinated by the man's divergent lifestyle, the countrymen craved to know more about this faraway kingdom.

When the seven years of waiting had finally passed the man was permitted to move to his new property. But seeing that his fellow countrymen were now too living the ways of the faraway country, the man decided to stay in his homeland and share in the new lifestyle with them.

A Poem

Some keep the Sabbath going to church;
I keep it staying at home,
With a bobolink for a chorister,
And an orchard for a dome.

Some keep the Sabbath in surplice;
I just wear my wings,
And instead of tolling the bell for church,
Our little sexton sings.

God preaches,—a noted clergyman,—
And the sermon is never long;
So instead of getting to heaven at last,
I’m going all along!

- Emily Dickinson

A Franciscan Benediction

I came across this recently and want to share it.


May God bless you with discomfort
at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships
so that you may live deep within your heart
May God bless you with anger
at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people
so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace
May God bless you with tears
to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
to turn their pain into joy
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
to believe that you can make a difference in the world
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done
to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
- A Franciscan Benediction