The Time is Now!

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

People often wonder why I wear two watches, an anologue watch on my left wrist and a digital Fitbit watch on my right; one to keep time and the other, to keep track of the steps I’ve taken in a day, some silly comfort to assure myself that I’ve done some exercise. And of course, I’ve got my smart phone which I would readily whisk out if I wish to be more precise with the time. So back to the question: why do I need three time-keeping devices? Simple answer: I have poor time management. All these devices help keep me in check.

Time management is a skill some people excel in while others struggle to manage. I belong to the second category. You would think that with the plethora of apps and other tools to be more efficient, they would make us better at managing our time, but the truth is that time management is one of the biggest stressors in our culture. We work too many hours, we have too many distractions, and we're trying to squeeze in more work in less time. Procrastination is often the result of being so overwhelmed with tasks that we keep putting things off, only to find that we're now even more squeezed for time.

The ancient Greeks referred to the ticking of the clock as chronos time, from which we get "chronological" time. Matter of fact, if you go to a jewellery store to purchase an expensive watch, it is now often referred to as a chronograph, rather than a watch. It makes it sound more expensive.

However, Kairos is the brand of time most often mentioned in the New Testament. You won't find it on a watch. Instead, kairos refers more to a decisive time - the right time, the appropriate time, the opportune time, the decisive time. The writers of the New Testament seem to understand kairos in relation to the moment when God intervenes or is about to intervene in human history. And it is this time, Kairos time, which our Lord announces at the start of His public ministry. “The time has come ... and the kingdom of God is close at hand.”

The Kairos of God’s intervention intersects with our own Kairos moment. Encountering the Lord calls for an immediate decision, not just a proposal for our consideration. Our Lord does not say to us, “Take your time, I’m not in a hurry.” Every scene in the gospel of St Mark is filled with urgency and the various characters therein do not seem to dally or take their time to make a response. It’s interesting how Jonah, the reluctant prophet in the first reading, takes such a long time to accede to God’s call to deliver His message to the Ninevites, in contrast to the Ninevites immediate response to repent upon hearing the warning. I guess most of us are like Jonah rather than Peter, Andrew, James, John, Levi or even the Ninevites. We seem to take our time, put off the decision, find excuses and even attempt to run away from the inevitable before we come round to accept God’s invitation.

I guess I have a theory for this procrastination on our part, especially in spiritual matters. Most often, we don’t live with enough urgency. We live on the assumption that we have plenty of time. We live in a world of chronos and we don’t notice the kairos moments of God at work around us. But today, our Lord reminds us that “the time has come,” no more excuses, no more delays, no more attempts at worming out of this. So, how should we live and respond to this perpetually urgent Kairos moment:

The first point is to appreciate the urgency of our Lord’s call. Remember those immortal words of Benjamin Franklin, “Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” It is now time to stop thinking, there is plenty of time for living. Life is short; you do not have the time as you think you do. Live, think, and act for today, for “tomorrow” may be too late. Live as if today is your last.

The second is that repentance should be a constant and daily affair. For those who think that going for confession once a year during one of the scheduled penitential services is already a big deal, think again. Seize the opportunity to repent, recognise its urgency because let’s be honest - no one is an immaculate saint. Even if you get pass the day without some major mortal sin, there is not a single day when some thought, some action, some speech, some decision would be tainted by sin or impure motives.

The third point is that we must make a response of faith which is to “believe the Good News.” But this is not just knowledge or observance of some paper doctrine. Faith, in the Christian context, is ultimately translated into discipleship, it is heeding the call of our Lord, “Follow me.”

The fourth would be to re-evaluate the priorities in our lives and place our Lord at the very top. Values shape our decisions. What makes you decide to take up a project immediately or delay it depends on the value you attach to it. If you have been putting off the call from the Lord because you seem to have other more urgent or important things on your plate, it is evidence of how little value you give to the Lord in your life. A simple rule is this: God first, others second, me last.

Finally, don’t wait for the “perfect” or “ideal” time to respond to God’s call. Notice that His call comes at any moment and in whatever situation you may find yourself in, and that moment is the “perfect time.” God flows into our existence when we least expect Him. Let us live with urgency…always anticipating those kairos moments when God shows up in the most unexpected ways.  And they can happen anytime! A friend calls you out of the blue. Your child disrupts your current preoccupation and calls you away to attend to her needs. A co-worker reaches out to ask for help. Your Parish Priest gives you a surprise call, asking for a favour. God is always surprising us with His perfect, kairos timing. Are you ready, waiting, and watching to make the correct response? There is no time to waste. The time is NOW!