a big "to do"
"You did it for Me." —Matthew 25:40
What are we to do? Sometimes we "stand by idly when" our "neighbor's life is at stake" (Lv 19:16). We can easily be remiss in serving the poor, hungry, thirsty, refugees, sick, and imprisoned (see Mt 25:42ff).
Sometimes we do something, but it is the wrong "something." We are busy about many things (Lk 10:41), but we may not have chosen the better part, that is, listening to Jesus (Lk 10:39, 42).
We may do things at the wrong time. For example, we may try to remove the specks of sin from others' eyes before we have removed the plank of sin from our own eyes (Mt 7:5).
How much are we to do? Sometimes we should quit nagging others to do God's will. We should be quiet and prayerfully trust the Lord to complete His work (see Is 30:15). At other times, we may plant one seed and wait for it. But the Lord commands to do more and to sow bountifully (see 2 Cor 9:6).
We can be wasting our lives by doing nothing or doing the wrong thing. Lent is the time to make sure that we do not "spend what remains of (our) earthly life on human desires but on the will of God" (1 Pt 4:2).
Prayer: Father, I will work "while it is day," for "the night comes on when no one can work" (Jn 9:4).
Promise: "Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." —Lv 19:18
Praise: James refuses to work on Sundays. He keeps holy the Lord's day.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, Job Performance for Jesus, or on audio AV 43-3 or video V-43.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, August 18, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 25, 2001