Do not put it off

Many of us procrastinate (I know I do – but more about that later).

Seriously, procrastination can be a problem.

In our work and in the practical things of life, procrastination can cause more than a little trouble and stress, if not failure.

In our spiritual and moral lives, procrastination can be deadly.

(Lord Jesus, have mercy on me.)

We procrastinate in our moral and spiritual lives by not taking advantage here and now of the opportunities God gives us to grow in faith and in his grace.

Today's first reading (Proverbs 3:27-34) begins with a warning against moral procrastination:

Refuse no one the good
on which he has a claim
when it is in your power to do it for him.

Say not to your neighbor,
"Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give,"
when you can give at once.

It is not simply a matter of "Justice delayed, justice denied."

It is also a matter of taking advantage of opportunities that may not come to us again.

In the extreme, some even put off the manifestation of their faith until the next world: hiding the light of what they call faith totally within themselves.

Our Lord himself warns us of this in today's Gospel (Luke 8:16-18):

No one who lights a lamp
conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.

For there is nothing hidden
that will not become visible,
and nothing secret
that will not be known and come to light.

Take care, then, how you hear.

To anyone who has,
more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have
will be taken away.

We need to let the light of our faith shine forth now.

We need to heed the word of the Lord and live it NOW.

Plot no evil against your neighbor,
against one who lives at peace with you.

Quarrel not with a man without cause,
with one who has done you no harm.

Envy not the lawless man
and choose none of his ways:
To the LORD
the perverse one is an abomination,
but with the upright is his friendship.

The curse of the LORD
is on the house of the wicked,
but the dwelling of the just
he blesses;
When dealing with the arrogant,
he is stern,
but to the humble
he shows kindness.

***

He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.