WORDS FROM FATHER YOHANES: Time, Space & Jesus

By Father Yohanes Akoit

There is a saying: “We humans live our existence in space and time.” It means that as long as we live on this earth, we are always dealing with place and timing.

Moving in space means we are always somewhere. Right now, we are here in this specific place, but later we will be somewhere else. We go from home to work, from home to church, and so on. Our bodies keep changing location; they are never fixed in one place. Regarding this, someone might be skeptical and ask, “What about those in nursing homes or those in jail? Their destiny seems fixed in one place. Doesn’t that make the saying untrue?” At first glance, this question seems reasonable. But even those in nursing homes or in jail still move in space. Sometimes they are in the restroom, at other times they sit or stand in another corner, and so on. So even though they remain in a specific location, they still move to different spots within that space. This also applies to time. We are always moving in and with time. We cannot return to yesterday or stop time from moving into the future. Even when we sit in one place, time continues to pass, and it affects our existence. We grow older, our thoughts shift, and our physical bodies and strength change. We are born into time, and we move along with it whether we choose to or not. Even our lifespan is limited by time.

Because of this nature of our existence - being in time and space, we always try to make sure we have a comfortable place and that we are in good time. So, in a simple way, the saying “we humans live in space and time” means we are always somewhere and always in motion through time. For example, when we come to church, we want a comfortable place to sit, and we want to arrive on time. This applies to every aspect of life: we want a good place and the right time. This nature also shapes how we think about eternal life. We ask, “Is there a place for me in heaven?” and “When will it be?” We want to know the place and the time. In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the answer. He says, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places” (John 14:1-12). And in another passage, Scripture speaks about time: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13).

This is Jesus’ invitation for us to live our nature - our existence in time and space, with Him. He calls us to bring every part of our human journey into His presence: our movements, our changes, our seasons of joy, and our moments of struggle. The invitation matters because Jesus is not separate from time and space; He entered them fully. He walked our roads, experienced our limitations, and lived within the same rhythms of growth, waiting, and transition that shape our lives. To have life in its fullness within time and space means to have Jesus, the original source of life, walking with us. Without Him, our days can feel scattered or heavy, but with Him, every moment gains meaning and direction.

With Jesus, we receive protection, guidance, and strength for a better and safer life. He teaches us how to inhabit our “space” with joyful and peaceful hearts, even when circumstances are difficult. He transforms ordinary places into places of grace and turns difficult times into opportunities for growth and blessing. What once felt like a burden can become a doorway to deeper faith, and what once felt like a setback can become a source of hope. When we accept His invitation, our time and our space, our whole existence, become filled with His presence, His purpose, and His love.

Father Yohanes Akoit is pastor of St. Julian and St. Anthony Catholic churches in Kentucky.