Anxiety over Worldly Things and the Life Span

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Eleventh Week:  Saturday*

*Gospel :  Mt 6:24-34*

*First Reading : 2 Chronicles 24: 17-25*

*Responsorial Psalm : 89: 4-34*

*Anxiety over Worldly Things and the Life Span*

*1) The Context: Two Masters*

The passage begins: "No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and mammon."

"Mammon" refers to wealth, possessions, and material security when they become objects of trust or devotion.

Jesus is teaching that the root of much anxiety is misplaced trust. When wealth, success, reputation, or comfort become our ultimate security, we inevitably become anxious because these things are fragile and temporary.

Many people do not worship money directly, but they may depend on it for their sense of worth, identity, or security. Whenever something finite becomes our ultimate source of security, fear follows.

*2) Anxiety Cannot Extend Life*

Jesus asks: "Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

His point is both practical and spiritual.

Practically: Worry consumes energy. It disturbs peace. It often weakens rather than strengthens us. It does not change the future.

Spiritually: Anxiety can become an attempt to control what belongs to God. It reflects a struggle to trust God's providence.

Jesus is exposing the illusion of control. Human beings often worry because they believe that worrying somehow protects them from future suffering. Yet anxiety itself cannot guarantee health, success, or longevity.

*3) The Birds and the Lilies*

Jesus points to nature:  Birds do not store up vast reserves, yet God feeds them. Lilies do not labor to make themselves beautiful, yet God clothes them magnificently.

The lesson is not that people should stop working. Birds still search for food; flowers still grow according to their nature. 

The lesson is that creation itself witnesses to God's care.

The world often teaches: "Your security depends entirely on your own efforts." Jesus teaches: "Your efforts matter, but God's care is greater than your efforts."

*4) Seek First the Kingdom*

The central teaching of the passage is: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Jesus is speaking about priorities.

When worldly concerns occupy the highest place in life: Anxiety grows. Desires multiply. Nothing seems enough.

When God occupies the highest place: Material things find their proper place. Desires become ordered. Life gains a deeper center.

A useful question is: "What do I seek first every day?"

Our priorities shape our peace. If our first concern is success, approval, or wealth, peace becomes fragile. If our first concern is God and righteousness, peace has a firmer foundation.

*5) Do Not Worry About Tomorrow*

Jesus concludes: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."

This does not mean: Ignore the future. Avoid planning. Neglect responsibilities.

Rather, it means: Live faithfully in the present. Carry today's responsibilities. Do not carry tomorrow's burdens before they arrive.

Many people suffer twice: From today's difficulties. From imagined future difficulties.

Jesus calls us to bear today's cross rather than tomorrow's imaginary cross.

*6) Practical Applications*

*In Family Life* : Parents naturally worry about children, education, health, and finances. This passage encourages responsible care without allowing fear to dominate the heart.

*In Work and Career* : Work diligently and plan wisely, but do not make career success the source of your identity and security.

*In Health Concerns* : Take proper medical care and make prudent choices, but recognize that constant anxiety cannot guarantee a longer life.

*In Financial Matters* : Budget, save, and work responsibly. Yet remember that peace comes from trust in God, not merely from the size of a bank account.

*Trust does not eliminate effort* : The birds still gather food. The flowers still grow according to their nature.

Anxiety tries to carry tomorrow before it arrives. Faith carries today's responsibilities while entrusting tomorrow to God.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*