Carpe Diem

To the sources:

From Matthew 4:12-23 (Year A: Epiphany + 3)

The Latin phrase ‘Carpe Diem’ is typically translated as ‘Seize the Day’. Perhaps  more a literal translation of the term would suggest ‘enjoy the day’ or ‘pluck the day’. Whichever version you prefer the term has poignancy in the here and now. When Jesus declares that the ‘kingdom of heaven has come near you’ he meant just that.  Elsewhere he told his listeners that it was ‘within you’. This inspired the title of a book by the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. (Tolstoy’s book, which advocated peaceful non-violence was viewed as so subversive that it was banned in his home country, Russia).

Seizing the day – or the moment – is a discipline that requires letting go of the past and the future. The past and future can be favourite excursion destinations in the dance hall of the human mind. However, the Sabbath – a time of rest – is the real holiday that lies near us, within us, in our midst. It is elusive because it cannot be typically ‘caught’ (thus negating the notion of plucking or seizing it as suggested by Carpe Diem). Rather we must let it catch us. However, that requires discipline and self-emptying – at least some of the time. Then we are ready for action again. Taste and see goodness today in all the events, natural world and passing emotions of this day. Carpe Diem – grab hold of this day.