Scripture:
2 Chronicles 24:17-25
Matthew 6:24-34
Reflection:
In our Gospel reading from Matthew, we hear Jesus make two statements, almost at the outset: "You cannot serve God and mammon;" and "Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear." The second statement flows from the first. When we get caught up with what is not of God, it is easier to worry.
When we rely on things or our own devices to give us happiness or security, we realize that they cannot give us what we really need. Only God can do that. It can be hard to trust in God, when we are having difficulty making ends meet. It can be hard when God seems to be far away. But God is there with us and for us, and as Jesus says, God knows that we need things like food and clothing and shelter. But we are to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," so that we know what is really important.
The more we trust in God, the less worries we have. We get less concerned about what others have that we don’t. We get less concerned about putting on airs or having people think a certain way about us. Instead, we will be more concerned about serving God and God’s people in such a way that no one needs to worry about where their next meal will come from or where they will sleep the night. May God who knows all our needs fill us with His grace, and take our worries away.
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P. is the director of St. Paul of the Cross Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan.