Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself,” (Matthew 6:34).
When I was younger, I used to worry a lot and was uncomfortable about uncertainty. I found that there is wisdom in today’s Gospel reading. Jesus is helping us re-focus on what life is about. In a way, worrying about what we will eat, drink, and wear takes away focus from God and what God calls us to do: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,” (Matthew 6:33).
In today’s world, I see this worry manifested in consumerism. Often companies present their products not only as items to fulfill our basic needs but also as ways to be more attractive, cooler, smarter, and anything else that we think will make us happy and better people. It’s easy to make the focus of our lives be on ourselves and how others perceive us. This Gospel passage reminds us that God knows and gives us what we need. I’m reminded of the vow of poverty that I professed as a Religious Sister. This vow not only includes living simply and sharing goods in common with the community of Sisters, but it is based on the importance of dependence on God and trust on God’s love for us. In turn, this vow gives us the freedom to center our lives on generously ministering to others and be concerned with the injustices people face. Not everyone is called to be a vowed Religious, but today’s Gospel can inspire you to reflect on how believing in God’s love and ability to provide all your needs can help you shift from selfishness to seeking righteousness.
Does this mean that Jesus is telling us not to save money for difficult times or retirement? No, I don’t think he’s saying that. However, we cannot “serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Having our lives be centered solely on earning money and making profits can blind us from God, other people, and the present. Jesus invites us to not be blind by living in God’s love, seeing the plight of our neighbor, and being free to experience and rejoice in the present moment. We are called to hope in the midst of uncertainty and chaos, a hope rooted in being confident in God’s constant providence.
—Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI