For more than 40 years, Art Buchwald (1925-2007) was best known for his syndicated column of political satire that appeared in 500 papers worldwide. But to those who knew him best, Buchwald will be remembered as the man who wanted to just enjoy life and see where it takes me.
In February of 2006, after recovering from a stroke and losing part of a leg due to kidney complications, the octogenarian humorist took stock of what was left of his life and made a decision. He quit his thrice-weekly dialysis treatments, checked into a hospice facility, and planned his funeral. The thing is, when you make your choice, Buchwald said, then a lot of the stress is gone. Everything is great because you accept that you are the one who made the choice. As the weeks passed, he received visits from countless friends and family members—and bade them farewell. Then months passed; springtime came and went. And Buchwald again took stock: Death had apparently rejected him, his kidneys were still plugging away – his time was not yet over!
Ever the writer, Buchwald realized he needed to “revise” the “final” draft of his life. He bought a cell phone, updated his living will, started writing another book, and recorded an interview to be shown after his passing. He left the hospice to spend the summer in Martha’s Vineyard with his family, and afterward moved in with his son. His sense of wit and humor never diminished. He quipped, I have no idea where I’m going, but here’s the real question: What am I doing here in the first place?
Art Buchwald knew that many people would not agree with the path he’d chosen. But since the final journey was his alone to take, he believed himself to be the best qualified to determine its course. As the end drew near, he said his only regrets were that he wouldn’t live to experience another Verdi opera or to see global warming get resolved – still, Buchwald had certainly enjoyed life fully – right up to Death’s door.
To live life fully – right up to Death’s door is the great challenge of Pentecost. Forty days after Easter, we celebrate the feast of living life fully. The apostles huddled together in an upper room somewhere in Jerusalem, were living lives of fear. They had huddled together behind locked doors because they were afraid of dying. Even after they had seen the Lord, still they were huddled together and were afraid of their own shadows. The story of Pentecost is a story of transformation. Like Art Buchwald suddenly they realized that they had to leave their fear behind them and take to the streets again. When the Holy Spirit blew into their hearts they came to the realization that even if they had no idea where they were going, the real question was – what were they doing here in the first place! This is the challenge of Pentecost! Pentecost means that we shift our attitudes – rather than being worried about death’s door, we concentrate instead upon living!
Pentecost is a God-given invitation to embrace the life you have with all of its joys and pains; all of its ups and downs; all of its successes and failures – to embrace life as it is and really to live! That’s what Jesus was trying to tell his Apostles and what Art Buchwald in his own way was trying to share with his readers, do not be afraid of dying – be afraid of NOT living!Pentecost is a time to throw off the shackles that have kept us timid and depressed, huddled behind closed doors and afraid of the future. Pentecost reminds us that because of the Easter promise we can forget about death and get on with the business of life. Pentecost challenges us to get involved in a new ministry; share a moment of faith with someone; drop an old grievance; jump into a new adventure; take a risk; breathe; trust; hope – but most of all – LIVE! On the Day of Pentecost the Apostles left their fear behind and chose to live the life they were given. That is our challenge as well. I can’t say it any better than Art Buchwald: Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got!