“The duty of the moment.” It was a phrase I was not familiar with, until I met Catherine Doherty, (the founder of Madonna House) in the pages of her many books. We are all aware that we have to try not to waste any time, because it is precious, and the lost moment has gone forever. According to Catherine, “doing the duty of the moment means focusing our whole person – heart, soul, body, emotions, intellect, memory, imagination – on the job at hand!”
The word “duty” conjures up a task that has to be done, a requirement, an order to be filled, a command from a higher authority that must be fulfilled. Duties to our parents, spouse, children, employer, lie heavy on everyone, seeming to demand something from someone. On the other hand, the word “moment” is light and fleeting, gone in a flash.
As I sat with this singular phrase, I realized that the call to discipleship often involves the duty of the moment. We can plan to do great things for God, but God’s ways are not our ways, and many times we have to surrender to the bigger picture. At the start of each day I have learned to say, “This is my agenda, Lord, what’s yours?” from Fr. Bob Bedard (founder of the Companions of the Cross) so if the day proceeds with unexpected interruptions that somehow serve God’s purpose, I try to be obedient to the divine will.
Which brings to mind a unique experience. I was attending a volunteer appreciation party at a Long Term Care Center when the Chaplain (non Catholic) approached me and asked if I could visit a Catholic woman who was dying. I hesitated at first because I didn’t know the person, I had to rush off to do other things, and I felt ill equipped to address the situation. However, I called on the Holy Spirit and walked into the unit. It was apparent that the woman was slipping away with no one by her side.
I initially prayed aloud, and then felt that I had to sing “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman.” I lingered by her bed singing hymns, and then left praying for her that evening. The next day the Chaplain informed me that shortly after I left, she passed away. I was elated that I had been present to a stranger in her final hour who perhaps had a devotion to Mary. Those moments of prayer could not be considered a duty. God called and I responded.
Sometimes the Lord allows things to happen that are mind boggling, especially when it involves doing something in a very public place to help one in distress. Fr. Scott McCaig CC recently appointed to be Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Canada had a powerful encounter when he was riding from South Bronx to Harlem on the subway. People don’t talk on the subway there, and no eye contact is made.
He was traveling with Franciscan brothers when he noticed a dishevelled woman with matted hair looking at him closely. Five minutes later she summoned up enough courage to ask, “Are you really a priest?” to which he replied, “Yes, I am a Catholic priest.” Then arose a cry from the depths of her soul, “Help me!” Fr. Scott got off at the next stop, and in the middle of a Harlem subway terminal he heard her Confession and put a cross around her neck. One of the Brothers phoned Mother Teresa’s house for women and got her set up. God used him powerfully in that moment, and to quote him, “I didn’t say a word. I just showed up.” Moments like these I call “Jesus moments” because duty flies out and merciful love flies in.
Then there’s Mother Angelica who started EWTN – Eternal Word Television Network. She was a Nun who was involved in active ministry until a series of strokes prevented her from speaking. Her duty of the moment shifted dramatically from being a spokesperson, to quietly and painfully suffering with Jesus.
You and I can get caught up in the demands of life, but through prayer those repetitive duties can become joyful moments to savor later on. The question to discern is, “What is God asking of me in this moment to help me grow spiritually, and so help build the kingdom of God?”