Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
Hag 1: 1-8; Lk 9: 7-9
Dc. Larry Brockman
There are lots of Procrastinators out there! People that put off doing things. They may even mean well; but even with the best of intentions, they just never seem to get around to it. And so, they procrastinate.
The people of Haggai’s time were procrastinators. They had promised to build the Lord a House; but they kept saying that the time was not quite right. Haggai is trying to rouse them- to get them off of their duff and into action. He plays on their guilt, tries to shame them into action. And what makes it worse- it is a collective effort that is being held up. Building the temple requires cooperation from many of them. But all of them were procrastinating.
You know, it is easy for us to get into such a rut too. We tell ourselves we need to plan properly; or we need just a few more assets; or we need a better time when other things are not pressing. And so, we do not act as individuals. And before you know it, days, weeks, months, and sometimes even years go by, and whatever it is that we had the best intentions of doing, remains undone. Maybe it is reconciling with a loved one; or making a basic change in our lives to get out of a rut; or even going on a diet.
Today, let us reflect on our spiritual life in particular. Are we putting something off there, something we know we should do, but just haven’t gotten around to? Maybe it’s a nagging feeling that we should join a ministry; or sign up for adoration; or a discussion group; maybe even join a group that is involved in social action. Maybe it’s a retreat, like Emmaus or Cursillo, that we feel called to do, but keep putting off. And maybe it’s something really basic, like just making the effort to do morning and evening prayer consistently. But whatever it is, this first reading really calls us to reflect on our tendency to procrastinate- and get beyond it.
And there is something more, too. Because collectively, if we were all individually motivated and involved just a bit more, what a difference we could make. Like the people of Haggai’s time, we could build a temple for the Lord, Maybe not a physical temple, but we could do something that makes a difference in society that would give glory to God. Let me give you an example:
Last year, Holy Family’s Respect Life Organization made a collective effort to sponsor Pro-Life billboards in the Orlando Area. It took the efforts of a group of people just like you and I- an organizer, someone to do research, a fundraiser, and some people who generously responded. But it was a handful of people who just decided they were going to make it happen. As a result, six pro-life billboards were sponsored around the Orlando Area. Lots of people noticed- our Bishop was one of them. So, we really can do something that makes a difference if we do not procrastinate.
I can’t help thinking of what a difference it would have made, if Herod in today’s Gospel story really had made an effort to see and listen to Jesus.
