waiting and longing
“How long must I remain with you?” —Matthew 17:17
In today’s first reading, the prophet Habakkuk wonders how long he must wait for the Lord to answer. He sees unjust people exploiting the poor and getting away with murder. He laments: “Why doesn’t God act? What’s taking God so long?” (see Hab 1:13)
In the Gospel reading, Jesus also asks: “How long?” He wonders how long He must wait for us to answer. Jesus cries: “How long must I remain with you? How long must I endure you?” (Mt 17:17)
If we think things are taking a long time, imagine how God must feel! He’s been waiting for us to bring the Gospel message to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). It’s been two thousand years and over half the world’s people still do not believe in God, much less believe in Jesus. God must be wondering: “How long, O My people?”
Jesus is waiting for us to work with Him in establishing His kingdom (see Heb 10:13). In the United States, we’ve been going backwards in the last fifty years, not forward. Jesus must be wondering: “How long, O My people?”
“The Lord does not delay” (2 Pt 3:9), but we, His people, are masters of delay. We have all kinds of excuses for not carrying out His wishes (see Lk 14:18-20). We have wasted enough time (1 Pt 4:3). Let’s spend the rest of our life living for the kingdom of God (1 Pt 4:2).
Prayer: In today’s first reading, the prophet Habakkuk wonders how long he must wait for the Lord to answer. He sees unjust people exploiting the poor and getting away with murder. He laments: “Why doesn’t God act? What’s taking God so long?” (see Hab 1:13) In the Gospel reading, Jesus also asks: “How long?” He wonders how long He must wait for us to answer. Jesus cries: “How long must I remain with you? How long must I endure you?” (Mt 17:17) If we think things are taking a long time, imagine how God must feel! He’s been waiting for us to bring the Gospel message to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). It’s been two thousand years and over half the world’s people still do not believe in God, much less believe in Jesus. God must be wondering: “How long, O My people?” Jesus is waiting for us to work with Him in establishing His kingdom (see Heb 10:13). In the United States, we’ve been going backwards in the last fifty years, not forward. Jesus must be wondering: “How long, O My people?” “The Lord does not delay” (2 Pt 3:9), but we, His people, are masters of delay. We have all kinds of excuses for not carrying out His wishes (see Lk 14:18-20). We have wasted enough time (1 Pt 4:3). Let’s spend the rest of our life living for the kingdom of God (1 Pt 4:2).
Promise: “The rash man has no integrity; but the just man, because of his faith, shall live.” —Hab 2:4
Praise: St. Dominic defeated heresy by combining the preaching of God’s Word with a lifestyle of Gospel poverty.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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