Reading Francis

The main thing is to make the main thing the main thing.

I mentioned earlier this week that the daily Mass readings this week cover the return to Jerusalem and rebuilding of the Temple, but one of those readings has really stuck with me all week, because I think it speaks to a larger question that I struggle with today.

Thursday’s selection was from the prophet Haggai (1:1-8). While it’s the start of that book of the Bible, Haggai is a character in the story as told by the book of Ezra, so we know that he is one of several prophets who join the group of Jewish people who are given permission and funding by the Persian rulers to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple after generations of exile.

Apparently, those who journeyed back for this purpose got distracted by the other things on their to-do list. Here’s how Haggai puts it:

Thus says the LORD of hosts:
This people says:
“The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.”
(Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:)
Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses,
while this house lies in ruins?

Now thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
You have sown much, but have brought in little;
you have eaten, but have not been satisfied;
You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated;
have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed;
And whoever earned wages
earned them for a bag with holes in it.

Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
Go up into the hill country;
bring timber, and build the house
That I may take pleasure in it
and receive my glory, says the LORD.

This resonates with me, because I completely understand where the Israelites are coming from. Like them, I find it very easy to put the main things in life farther down on my daily to-do list. Once I get all the chores done, I’ll take time to pray. Once I retire, I’ll have time to study. Once I’m comfortable, I’ll take time to serve others.

God calls them (and me!) out on this attitude, and then points out a result that I know is true. When I put the lesser things first, I should not be surprised that they never seem to satisfy. And when I try to lock down all the details that provide my security before focusing on God and others, it’s like I’m trying to fill up a bag with holes in it.

This theme, that prayer, study and action aren’t things to delay, shows up again and again in the Bible. At the start of every Lent, we hear St. Paul remind us that “now is the acceptable time.” Throughout the year, we get the Psalm response that, “If today we hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.”

Maybe, when we’re feeling unsatisfied with our lives, it’s worth reflecting on whether we’ve forgotten that the main thing is to make the main thing the main thing.