Readings for Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, February 26, 2017.
1st Reading: Isaiah 49:14-15
Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my LORD has forgotten me.” Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. The word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 62:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R/. Rest in God alone, my soul.
2nd Reading: First Corinthians 4:1-5
Brothers and sisters:nThus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. Therefore do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God. The word of the Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34
Jesus said to his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” The gospel of the Lord.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS:
If we could only heed these words! Do not worry about… The three dots after that phrase should be filled in by you. What is it that we worry about? The entire passage from today’s Gospel offers a list of things we worry about that we shouldn’t. It especially points to concerns about our material well-being. Jesus is very direct in saying that we should not worry about money and all that money provides. He cares more for us than the birds of the sky or flowers of the field, yet He takes perfect care of them. Will He not also take care of us? He certainly will.
In this Gospel, Jesus directly states that you cannot serve both God and money. In other words, we cannot make both of them the object of our desires and longing. Making money a central focus in life deters us from trust in the providence of God. We certainly should not go about life carefree in regard to providing for ourselves and our loved ones. We have a duty to work and earn a living and provide for ourselves and our family. But it’s one thing to be diligent and responsible in accord with the will of God. It’s another thing to worry excessively or to make money the central focus of our lives. The simple answer to being worry free in regards to money is trust.Trust God enough to take care of us. Pray, listen to Him, let Him show us His will in regard to the way we will earn a living, and then confidently do what we hear Him calling us to do.
At times, money may be tight. These moments can either be a cause for worry and anxiety, or a cause for greater trust and surrender to God. God certainly does not promise to make us rich in material things. This may or may not happen and, in fact, it matters little to God. The key is that, rich or poor, we trust God and entrust our finances to Him. If we have much, make sure that it is daily given over to God and that we daily ask Him to direct us in the use of our wealth. If we have little, do not give in to fear but trust that the Lord knows our needs and will show us how to meet those needs.
Pray with me: Lord, I entrust to You my finances and my material possessions. I entrust them to Your care and to Your providence. Please free me from useless anxiety and worry and help me to keep You at the center of my life. Jesus, I trust in You that You alone will heal our sick brethren and set them free. May the souls of our faithful departed brethren rest in perfect peace, amen. Have a blessed and fulfilled Sunday.
Contributor: Nwachukwu Nwanesi