'Don't Put Off Till Tomorrow What ... '

	Bishop David Zubik

Perhaps you, like myself, have met people who espouse the philosophy: "Don't Do Today What You Can Put Off Till Tomorrow." Maybe that person is the one whom you and I meet in the mirror. Procrastination is an easy temptation into which many can succumb. Reality being what it is, there is a time when the clock runs out and we meet Our Maker - on His timeline and not our own.

Every so often, we receive one of those wake-up calls that surprise or even shock us. Friday, Jan. 19 was one of those days for many of us in the Church of Green Bay.

I received the news just about 5 p.m., as I was running out of my office to make my next appointment. I was stopped in my tracks when I learned that Fr. Roy Geenen, one of our finest priests, had died quite suddenly that afternoon. What made the news even more difficult to grasp was that several people from the diocesan offices had been with him that week or had spoken with him via phone that very afternoon.

	Related article: from January 26, 2007 issue: • Fr. Roy Geenen made everyone feel special     Waupaca pastor remembered as loving and caring

"Surely there must be some mistake," thought I. Unfortunately the news was confirmed - Father Roy had indeed died. A priest who was so loving and so lovable was suddenly gone from us - taken quickly by God who prepared a special place for him in heaven.

Since Fr. Geenen's death, I have done considerable thinking about the fragility of life and the sometimes swift and surprising messages of time. I wondered why it sometimes takes an unexpected piece of news to stop us in our tracks. Perhaps all of this is one of those vulnerabilities of human nature.

There are a number of reminders that we best not espouse the philosophy: "Don't Do Today What You Can Put Off Till Tomorrow."

One of those reminders happened at midnight on Monday morning, Jan. 1 - the beginning of a New Year with lots of opportunities to become better people. Another of those reminders will come our way on Wednesday, Feb. 21 - Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Season of Lent with lots of opportunities to become more Christ-like.

Given those timely reminders, it is essential that we reverse the philosophy: "Don't Do Today What You Can Put Off Till Tomorrow" to the more apt: "Don't Put Off Till Tomorrow What You Should Do Today." Is a "re-focus" needed in your life? In mine? Consider some of these possibilities:

• That we take the TIME each day to really pray, to connect with God and not just say our prayers;

• That we take the TIME each weekend (if not more) to come to Mass and for more reason than just an obligation;

• That we take the TIME to look for opportunities for fasting, to make room in our hearts for God, than we do looking to satisfy our senses and fill up our hungers;

• That we take the TIME to step outside of ourselves to recognize the needs of others and respond accordingly rather than obsessing on our own needs;

• That we take the TIME to say "Thank-You" and "I'm sorry" rather than take people for granted or hold on to grudges;

• That we take the TIME to look for the good, for the Christ in each other, rather than look for the opportunity to gossip and judge rashly;

• That we take the TIME to look for what's right in our lives, to see God's blessings, rather than complain about what's wrong with our lives;

• That we take the TIME to listen to God and others rather than be compelled to always speak;

• That we take the TIME to admit how much we need to grow rather than pretend that we have our act together;

• That we take the TIME to look at the other sides of issues rather than the side that most matches our own;

• That we take the TIME to "crack open" the Bible, to learn more of God's Word, and spend less time with the TV's remote;

• That we take the TIME to learn more of the basics of our faith and who we are as Catholics and less time on what we think is wrong with the Church.

In the Gospels, Jesus so wisely tried to teach His disciples then and all His followers since then, including us, about being wise stewards of time, talent and treasure. In the parable of the ten virgins (Mt 25:1-13) Jesus recounts five individuals who prepared themselves for the return of the Master and five who did not. He concluded His teaching with this advice: "Therefore stay awake for you know neither the day nor the hour."

Heeding the wisdom of Jesus: "Don't Put Off Till Tomorrow What You and I Should Do Today."