November 18, 2001

If asked, "How do you eat an elephant?" you might be inclined to respond, "It cannot be done." But, it would be possible by consuming small portions over a long period of time. Similarly, the notion of living one's life can be viewed as living a complete lifetime or living "one day at a time." This cliche provides a good rule for living.

In an old Twilight Zone episode based on a short story by Ambrose Bierce, soldiers lead a condemned man to a bridge spanning Owl Creek. A rope is tied around the prisoner's neck and the other end secured to the bridge beam. At the commanding officer's order, the man is pushed from the bridge. The rope breaks and he plummets into the creek below. He swims quickly ashore with a second chance at life.

Standing on the shore he is stunned by the sight of the surrounding world. All of nature takes on a beauty previously overlooked. The blue sky, the arching branches of the trees, the shape of the leaves, the wild flowers and nature's scents and sounds fill him with ecstasy.

Stunned into reality by a zinging bullet, he runs into the woods and soon he sees a house surrounded by a white picket fence. As the gate opens, he cannot believe his eyes. He is back home. He sees his wife running to meet him. He cannot wait to hold her. Inches away from the wonderful embrace, we are returned with a jolt at Owl Creek. The man dangles from the bridge with the rope around his neck.

The new lease on life never occurred. It was just his imagination as he was pushed from the bridge. With death imminent, the beauty of nature and love for his wife took on a richer and deeper dimension, spawning the wonderful dream, but only a dream. It was too late to appreciate what was once real.

Living fully one day at a time can lead to a greater appreciation of the gift we receive each day as we rise from slumber. Living this daily gift is a manner pleasing to God and helpful to enable us to penetrate life's meaning before it is too late and before something happens that turns the beautiful things of life into a fleeting dream.

The Gospel readings at this time of the year speak of these times. Today is no exception. It's annual reminder that life is too short and we never know the day or the hour when we might find ourselves atop our own Owl Creek Bridge and the beauty of life and nature of a fleeting dream.

SO THE QUESTION: WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME?

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