We call Latin a “dead” language. I once knew this guy who attended a Latin club, where everyone spoke Latin for the period of time they were together. In Latin he once recited the first few lines of John Chapter 1 verses 1 through “how would I know, I don’t speak Latin”. Was I impressed? Yes, but I was more ticked off because it was so impressive I couldn’t bear it. How’d he do that?? But in the light of the use of Latin in our English-speaking world how could you call it dead? Just saying.
That may have started me on a path where, when I do graffiti, I use Latin phrases. It sounds so intellectual, so refined, so snooty arrogant. Cool, right? And best of all, no one knows what it means! Well, the general public doesn’t know. That makes it exclusive.
Tempus Edax Rerum… the actual translation is (as near as I can tell) “Time Devours Everything”. I looked to see if there was an established etymology. I found references written with it and some things actually written about it but nothing like “it came from this author’s work” or “this is our family’s motto”, etc., etc.
Tempus Edax Rerum is one of my favorite phrases. I use sayings like “qui custodiet ipsos custodes” and “veritas me dirigit” liberally as I go down life’s path and they are all good for a rant, but I digress. “Time devours everything” is a concept that can be used in so many ways. I’ve heard it translated (of all places on the Andy Griffith Show) as “Time Heals Everything”. I’m not so sure that really covers it. How about “Time moves on”? Nope, not a fan. Time DEVOURS EVERYTHING, here’s a concept of a Lion or some person eating giant monster with blood dripping from its fangs ripping apart a body or… even a bunny eating a carrot. You pick.
“Time devours everything” is something I can relate to because it’s life… it’s my life. Time is the destroyer of all things. The concepts are myriad. My life has spanned 73 years and my memory of that span is spotty, time has erased so much in my mind. There are so many things I would change, if I could just go back in time. “Do overs” are not possible. Time has devoured my mistakes and my triumphs! Think of all the great edifices to human arrogance like Rockefeller Center or You name it university where some human being, in order to clasp onto immortality names something after themselves. But did it really give them immortality? No way, Ray, you still dead, dead as the dirt that covers your body.
I don’t want to go too far. We all celebrate time. This Latin saying is, apparently, on many sundials. Probably the most appropriate use of the phrase. I celebrate the passage of time in my Christian belief of a risen savior and a God that not only created me but also created everything around me. This God I serve has reached out to touch me intellectually and spiritually. Time will devour everything here in our temporal existence. Is there anything beyond? We are invited to think it through, to reason. There are many alternative explanations, beliefs and options. What makes sense? I chose a God who reaches out in the person of Jesus Christ to ask a simple question. Is this it? Or is there more?
