Woah I did not expect a callout; I happened to be scrolling goodreads this morning and saw this. Interestingly enough, I’ve been seriously contemplating the Christian’s relation to time these past two semesters. The title of this book precisely describes my principal question this spring. I read Book 10 of St. Augustine’s Confessions over Christmas break, and Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy in January. Book V, a section covering divine foreknowledge and Providence, was assigned to our class while I was sick, so I read it out loud, very slowly, to cope with my mental haze. Boethius’s assertion that God operates in an ever-present eternity (that is, all events are present to Him), and the acute realization that I often use my mind to mull over past events or speculate about future ones, led me to begin asking my question. How ought I appreciate and reflect on the past? How can I be present to the people and gifts of creation around me? How should I consider and/or anticipate future joys? I think the answer is probably a well-ordered, continual practice of gratitude, but I’d be surprised if I ever really figured it out. The Eucharist is probably a good place to start.
Colson