Sunday Reflection: Weekend of 11 August 2019

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 12:32-48







Jesus makes a strong statement to the disciples about the use of time, and about priorities.

Some of it must have been puzzling for the disciples, who at that stage did not know about the events which would later unfold in Jerusalem. But the point Jesus was making about being ready and about priorities was unmistakable.

Time is a gift, with each of us having that gift in an unknown measure. Procrastination is like a thief who erodes that gift, wasting it by leading us to do nothing, or to do what is easy rather than what should be a priority.

It is difficult to use time wisely if there are no clear priorities. The greater the number of demands being made, the more important it is to establish what matters most. And Jesus is very clear that what matters most is being ready for the day when we will meet him in death. As a prioritising principle, the knowledge that we will die one day and that we don’t know when is a powerful organizing force. It is also not easy to think about, but procrastination is not an option in the context of discipleship.

Procrastination conjures up ideas of idleness, but it can actually be hidden by vigorous activity. Being in a state of permanent activity does not mean that we are doing what really matters. If we allow activity to push the harder spiritual stuff off our agenda then we are procrastinating on what should be a priority.

When life feels chaotic because of the demands being made, the lack of opportunity to think and reflect can result in attention being given to whatever we can turn around the quickest or whatever is accompanied by the most demanding voice. Those things may not be the true priorities. The longer-term items, the deeper needs, those things which have the potential for beneficial change tend to fall off the table, both in our personal lives and in our working or family lives.

Taking the opportunity each day to ask what matters most at a personal level and in relation to the demands being made on us is a powerful tool for being ready. It can bring order to chaos and reduce procrastination on the things that really matter. It can provide a calm and friendly assertiveness in the face of overwhelming demand. Most importantly, it gets the question of being ready, as Jesus asked it, back on the table.