Rebuilding the Temples of our Lives

"Consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; And whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it." Hg 1: 5-6

If you have ever had a bag with holes you know how difficult it can be to carry anything. Most of us have carried groceries from our car to the kitchen, all the while hoping that the one remaining handle will hold out before everything spills on the floor. While we can recover from these kinds of accidents, having a faith life with holes in it is more difficult as the prophet Haggai reminds us.

As the Jews returned from Babylon after an exile that lasted more than sixty years, they got very busy rebuilding their homes and land and Haggai challenges them. Rebuild the temple first, he insists, otherwise you will forget who it was that sustained you in exile and the One who led you home. In other words first things first.

Reflecting regularly about our priorities is a hugely important practice in the 21st century. With so many distractions, not the least of which is the internet and social media like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, we can get lost in the overwhelming waves of information being hurled at us 24 hours a day. Stopping often and stepping away from our computers and smart phones gives us an opportunity for prayer and reflection, without which we can easily have lives like bags with holes in them. Remembering that we are temples of the spirit and our community of faith is God's tabernacle helps us focus anew of the priorities laid out for us in the Gospel.  Be grateful for God's enduring love and in response feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked and visit the lonely in prisons, hospitals and homes.

Today, stop and pray about your life and lifestyle, especially your unexamined priorities.

What is your biggest distraction when you pray?