To procrastinate, or to be proactive?
That was often a question around the seminary. Many men in formation at the seminary would find themselves to be the procrastination crowd- they wanted to wait until the last moments before an assignment or evaluation was due, and then hop right to it- perhaps even doing it on the last day the assignment was open. Some liked to take care of things early. If the assignment was assigned, you’d find them moments later in the library, studying away, even if the deadline was a few weeks out. Whatever side you were dealing with, you’d find representatives on either end of the scale.
As much as the seminary is an institution itself, I often found it to be a microcosm of the larger world. Even in daily life, we likely find that, whether in ourselves, or in others, there are those that tend to procrastinate, and those that tend to be proactive. As we enter into what has become known as the “holiday season,” we are entering into a time of year where those two character traits seem to become even more pronounced, whether it is in cooking, shopping, or simply getting those lights up. However, as we know, within our faith, things are shifting to the Advent season- a season of waiting and anticipation- all centered around that Christmas moment- when Jesus Christ becomes man and walks amongst us.
Yet, even as a season, we can get very proactive about moving past the season of Advent- and moving to the “good stuff” at the end. Why should we wait? What should we be proactive about? If you noticed, we actually have these answers in the context of the liturgy this morning.
The prophet Jeremiah has again come into play, even though we have just now switched liturgical years into cycle C. If you recall back to the last few weeks, we have been hearing a lot of talk about the end of times- the apocalypse, and many things in that vein. While there is that constant reminder that something is “coming” it is usually portrayed as being the end of time. However, things begin to shift and take on that “Advent character” as we aren’t just focusing on the end of time- but also the coming of Christ.
As it would have looked so many years ago- the people in Jeremiah’s time had suffered great losses and destruction. They largely felt that they had been abandoned and punished for what they had previously done. However, within the second half of the book of Jeremiah, the tone dramatically shifts. Rather than continuing that same theme of destruction- there is actually a theme of hope- that there is one who is coming- and to the same family tree of David- I will raise up for David a just shoot- and he shall do what is right… Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure. Jeremiah is reminding the Israelites that there is something profound that is coming- there will be fulfillment of the promise that has been there for so long- that there will be someone coming who will give them security, safety, and even justice. Thus, Jeremiah speaks to that reality- it isn’t something in their midst yet, but something that is coming.
The first book of Thessalonians also gives us a distinct theme- that of encouragement towards virtue- may God make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all. To be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. While Saint Paul is speaking here, he has two major encouragements- to love, and to become strong- to be blameless and sinless in the eyes of God. While it may not seem to have much to do with the waiting present in Jeremiah, there is a noticeable undertone here- that Paul is encouraging them, not just to virtue, but to the process of growing in virtue. One does not simply abound in love without work. One doesn’t become blameless without working and sweating, trying to eliminate sin, or trying to grow in love. We have to increase, and then we can abound. There is an awareness here that we might forget often- holiness is a process, not simply a benchmark. We have to work hard- and that is a lifelong pursuit- something we should be working on until Christ comes!
Finally, we arrive at the Gospel of Luke. We are likely very tuned in to all of the signs and things that were given to us two weekends ago- and that is what Jesus speaks of here. That there are these natural signs that will happen- then nations will be in dismay, and the roaring of the sea and waves will perplex many. It is even so bad that “people will die of fright.” Clearly, this is some calamity that we haven’t seen before, at least not necessarily in a global scale. However- Jesus doesn’t tell us to become fixated on all of these things. He doesn’t tell us to simply worry about all that we see that is going wrong. He tells us, rather, to actually be awake and alert. This does not mean we are so alert to be surrounded in disordered or untampered fear. Rather, Jesus goes on to tell us what this does mean: we are to stand erect, and raise our heads! Our redemption is at hand.
What’s more: Jesus continues to encourage, not just an awareness, but something of a guard. We shouldn’t be caught up in carousing, drunkenness, nor even the anxieties of daily life! He goes to say that day is going to catch those who aren’t living in awareness like a trap- it’s unexpected, and violent in the way that it occurs! So, the final imperative that Jesus gives us: Be vigilant at all times- pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are immanent to stand before the Son of Man.
Let’s stop and go back for a moment… I’ve used this word aware many times- what is that about? What are we aware of? Brothers and sisters, it may not seem like it, but we all have things that are trying to distract us from what really goes on. We have plenty of digital distractions in this day and age. Perhaps we are watching the news, waiting for all of the latest on this issue or that issue. We’ve got sports to attend. We’ve got vacations to go on. We’ve got this work project and that work project… I daresay, it isn’t just drunkenness and parties that threaten to take away our awareness. If anything, its because we become too aware, and even sometimes that gets to the level where we are all of a sudden worried about things we cannot even control.
What’s worse is that often times when we see all of these things- we lose our awareness of God. We know He’s there, in a textbook sort of way, but that’s really about it. We know about the Church, but we sort of live in spite of that. We know about faith, but we struggle to live it out. Perhaps even in our own lives, we have things that have happened that have shaken our faith, or have become such big issues in our lives that all of a sudden, we don’t know where God is anymore. We don’t know if He cares.
Yet, he does. If you look back at Jeremiah, He wasn’t speaking to a people in a condescending sort of way, though he may have had every right to do it. Jeremiah heard what God was saying- and it was a voice of encouragement- not of doom. That shoot coming up from David- that is a source of hope! Not quite the punishment that they would have expected. He wanted to give them hope.
All of this goes to say- no matter if you tend to procrastinate or be proactive- they both require one thing: awareness. We shouldn’t procrastinate when it comes to matters of faith, certainly, but we shouldn’t be so paranoid that we are crippled from action either. We should be a people that are aware and are proactive. We should be seeking to live after God Himself- and to be awake and aware of His presence- especially in those places where we might not expect Him to show up. We should be willing, no matter the calamity, no matter what goes on, and even in our day to day anxieties, worries, or even simply frivolity, we should have that very same awareness that God is coming, and He wants us to know- to be alert- and to prepare, and to be proactive for His coming.
Jesus is coming and will not delay- we don’t know when, and we don’t know at what hour; that isn’t what is important. What is important is having that proactive stance that will prepare us so that when our Lord appears, we will not be caught unaware, but will be ready to welcome Him when He comes.
Be vigilant at all times and pray!
