The "Good Old Days" Are Still Here!

Collegiate survey takers now say that very few engineering students have ever seen a slide rule or even know what it is. In this cybernetic age math is done with calculators and computers. 

Junkyards are graveyards for out-of-date things. Old items are usually regarded as worthless, except perhaps as collectibles or antiques. But some old things will not submit to a price tag. The Cheops pyramid of Egypt, after being around for nearly fifty centuries, is still a priceless architectural wonder of the world.

Jesus said that a kingdom-wise teacher is like a house owner "who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old" (Mt 13:52). One of the many interpretations of this difficult passage is that we "New Testament' people of God must "bring out" or share Christ's "new revelation" as one that is not "added to the old" but renews it. This year's car model improves on last year's but maintains the basic structure and strength of the old model. " I have not come to abolish...but to fulfill" (5:17).

We must turn to the "old" revelation to understand the new. But the value of the old derives from its (prophetic) Christ-focus spelled out in the "new" Christian revelation. "These are the [Old Testament] scriptures that testify about me" (Jn 5:39). The "good old days" were good, but our present time is better. We now have the resurrected Jesus not just prophesied about, but with us!

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net