WAITING AND LONGING

In the first reading, 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's wondering 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 forty 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).