We live in a world characterized by time and space. This simple and obvious fact impinges on every aspect of our lives, physical and spiritual. Time passes and, while we are often glad that time passes quickly under certain circumstances, eventually we become somewhat apprehensive that time is passing - ever more quickly it seems. We begin to realize that opportunities have passed us by, and that, once gone, most opportunities are lost forever.

Isaiah touches upon this reality when he urges us to seize the present moment as a great opportunity to be reconciled with God. "Seek the Lord while he is to be found, call upon him while he is near". Jesus warned the Jews and even His disciples: "You will look for me when I am gone". It was the great tragedy of the Jews that they did not recognize the time of God's visitation, though they knew the sacred places. When the Magi came, the Jews could open their bibles at the correct chapter and verse. They knew where Bethlehem was. But God's time escaped them. A sick woman once found herself close to Jesus in a crowd. She seized the opportunity to reach out to touch him, and so found healing for her body and soul.