“There is one dangerous word we often use: “Later.”
“I will pray later.”
“I will apologize later.”
“I will forgive later.”
“I will change later.”
“I will return to God later.”
The problem is that sometimes later becomes too late.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says that we know how to read the weather. We see the clouds and know that rain is coming.
But Jesus asks: Can you also read what is happening in your life?
We check the weather. We check our phones. We check Facebook. We check our bank accounts. But perhaps we also need to check our hearts.
Is there someone I need to forgive?
A wrong I need to correct?
A relationship I need to heal?
A sin I need to leave behind?
A God I need to return to?
Jesus tells us to settle matters “on the way.”
Those words are beautiful: on the way. Because we are still on the way. And while we are still on the way, there is still time.
Next week
I once heard of someone who kept postponing a visit to an elderly loved one. “Next week,” he kept saying. But before next week came, the person had died.
His painful words afterward were: “I thought I still had time.”
Final Words
My dear friends, many regrets begin with those words.
So if you need to forgive, forgive.
If you need to say “I’m sorry,” say it.
If you need to tell someone “I love you,” tell them.
If you need to return to God, come home now. Do not wait for tomorrow to do the good that God is asking of you today.
We are still on the way. And thank God, there is still time.”