But First…
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 26, 2003
But First…
by Tom Cox

It’s interesting when the pressure is on, what our priorities are. What’s urgent becomes all too often, unimportant in the real sense of things

Still, too many of us suffer from “but first” syndrome. You know, it's when you decide to do the laundry, start down the hall and notice that unread Sunday newspaper. OK, it’s laundry time – but first I'll read the newspaper. Then, you notice the post on the table. OK, I'll just put the newspaper back. but first check the post, ooops an unpaid bill, now where’s the chequebook? How did that empty glass get there – I’ll bring that back. I must find that chequebook. But first I need to put the glass in the sink. Head for the kitchen, look out the window, notice the poor flowers are parched – water them, put the glass in the sink, and well I be, there's the TV Remote. What's it doing here? I'll just put it away... Head for door and... Aaaagh! Stepped on the cat. Cat needs to be fed. OK, I'll put that remote away. But first I need to feed the cat...

End of day: Laundry still undone, newspaper discarded, glass is in sink, bills are unpaid, chequebook is still lost, and the cat ate the remote control. And it’s strange, because….You know you were busy all day.

Just as well those Gospel quads James, John, Simon, Andrew and the people of Nineveh (1st Reading) didn’t suffer from “but first syndrome.” They responded immediately – will we?

(Comments to Tom at tomascox@eircom.net )