No Time for God
Following World War II, with strong economics and employment, optimistic outlook and everything “modern”, the young and “enlightened,” now endowed with wheels, moved further away from the old folks and the old ways; the suburbs were created.
That movement continues today, leaving beautiful old churches and synagogues standing forlorn and empty, some boarded up. The young and “enlightened” continue to move further away from the center of their faith.
I’ve heard a lot of reasons why young families don’t go to Church. No time. Sunday is my only free time. It’s the only day I can sleep in. Our kids have soccer games on Sunday morning. It’s not relevant to who I am. It worked for my parents, but I don’t need it. I can be Christian without sitting there with all the hypocrites. People who go to church are no better than me. I pray all the time, in my own way. I worship God in my kayak. In 4th grade a nun told us dogs didn’t go to heaven and that turned me off. I didn’t intend to leave the Church, I just stopped going, and now I can’t get started. These are not reasons; these are excuses.
But, really, why should we go to Church? Why be inconvenienced? Why should we give up something we want to do to go to Church? Can Christians seriously ask those questions?
My mom used to say if I didn’t have time to do something it was because I was doing something else. Sure, everyone can pray by themselves. But, if you don’t have time to worship at church, do you really spend one hour, or forty-five minutes a week in prayer? Do you set aside fifteen minutes of your week to give totally to God? Who are you kidding? It might be what you intend to do, but do you actually do it? Most people are too busy to set aside forty five minutes for prayer one time a week; isn’t that the reason they don’t go to a service? They don’t have time?
It might be hard to start a new habit, but that’s what’s needed. Habits are started by doing something once. Then again. Blessed John Paul II says our intimate union with God is maintained and nourished by prayer. We must find time, we must make time, to be with the Lord in Prayer.
Going to Mass, going to Sabbath, or a Church service, isn’t an old-fashioned idea. It’s not your father’s life. It must be yours. It’s what every person needs. It’s that time out you’re looking for. It’s the refreshment you long for. It’s the bare minimum requirement your Lord has asked for. If you can’t give Him the bare minimum requirement, what is it that you are doing that’s more important? Don’t tell me; tell God, why you don’t have time to make Him the center of your life.