24 “No one can be a slave of two masters: he will hate one and love the other; he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 25 This is why I tell you not to be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn’t life worth more than food? And isn’t the body worth more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds: they do not sow seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren’t you worth much more than birds? 27 Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? 28 And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. 29 But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. 30 It is God who clothes the wild grass – grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burnt up in the oven. Won’t he be all the more sure to clothe you? How little faith you have! 31 So do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? Or my drink? Or my clothes?’ 32 These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.”
Other readings: Isaiah 49:14-15; Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
LECTIO
Jesus seems to be saying in this text: “Tell me what you are preoccupied about and I will tell you who your master is.” In other words, if you are overly concerned about the worries of the day then they are ruling you.
Jesus makes it clear that we have to make a choice. We can serve God or we can serve money and everyday concerns, but we can’t serve both. If we are guided by faith in God, the only master that really counts in this world, everyday worries lose their power.
Jesus also reminds us about God’s nature. He is the God of creation and sustainer of life. He created beautiful flowers that are here one day then gone the next. He provides for the birds of the sky. If he takes care of birds and plants, how much more will he look after people he made in his image?
Echoing the opening phrase of the prayer he taught us (Matthew 6:9-15), Jesus refers twice to God as “your Father in heaven”. These four words combine two immensely powerful ideas. First, the relationship we are invited to have with God is like that of a father and child. But, unlike earthly fathers with all their limitations, our spiritual Father is in heaven, perfect and all powerful.
God fully understands that as humans we need food, drink and clothing. Scripture also teaches that we should work to provide for ourselves and take care of those who are unable to provide for themselves.
Where people go hungry it is not God that has failed. There is enough food in the world for everyone, but man’s greed and selfishness mean it is not distributed fairly, which is an offence against God’s providence.
MEDITATIO
Reread today’s Gospel passage but imagine Jesus speaking directly to you. Does what Jesus is saying affect the way you feel? In what way? What do you need to do?
How do we know what God requires of us in practical terms? And how do we keep our priorities right?
ORATIO
Read Psalm 62 and use this as a basis for your own prayer. Think about how God has provided for you in different ways during your life and give him thanks. Bring any worries you have before him honestly.
CONTEMPLATIO
Consider God as your Father in heaven. Remember his love and care and this wonderful promise he makes to his people in Isaiah 49:15: “… I will never forget you.”
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