Saturday of 11th week, ordinary time, June 23, 2007

Scripture: II Cor. 12:1-10. Psalm 34. Matthew 6:24-34. Lectionary #370:

We all have some worries and anxiety about what is happening within us or
around us. These two noisome irritations are due to the human condition
and the effects upon it from what is happening in the world and in
ourselves. Today we are all concerned and worried about protection from
terrorists, from violent persons, and the constant news about wars in many
parts of our planet earth. If we are sensitive persons and a bit
scrupulous we will be bothered by worries and Angst. Jesus seems to be
addressing this in his day and it is also applicable to our situations of
today. The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of many of the things that
Jesus spoke about. Matthew has brought them together in one of his five
sections that do deal with the sayings of Jesus or his sermons. In this
section of chapter six of the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), we have
some consoling and insightful thoughts from our Lord and Teacher, Jesus.
First, he asks that we have our priorities in order. This means thinking
first about the things of God who is our Creator and master. We cannot
serve two lords or we do become confused and anxiety ridden. We are to
live out our lives in the presence of God each day realizing that God is
our life's source and also our ultimate personal goal. We learn from Jesus
about how beautiful God's creation is and how he is concerned about it and
even moreso is he concerned about us. "Are you not of more value than the
sparrows?" By appreciating God's creation we can relieve a lot of our
tension and worry. The beauty of nature is all around us and we can offer
a prayer of thanksgiving for it to God. Trust in the compassion, love, and
mercy of God is what Jesus is telling us. This is good advice for often we
have a poor image of God and often a poor image of ourselves in
relationship to God and neighbor. Despite the chaos that we often see and
hear about, God is there patiently waiting for our response and our trust
in Him. God knows all of our needs and wants us to "strive for the kingdom
that is his and for righteousness." We then can realize how God is totally
concerned about us and our needs. We are encouraged by the Sermon on the
Mount to live each day in the light of what Jesus is saying to us through
his sermons and his actions of healing. Again it is a question of our
living out the present moment as best we can and reminding ourselves of the
presence of God. We really cannot change the past; if we have failed and
have asked forgiveness the book is closed or the chapter is finished and we
start afresh writing a new story in the present. We hear Jesus whispering
in our ears, "So do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring
worries of its own.Today's trouble is enough for today." Thank you, Jesus!
We may also think of this prayer that we say before Communion: "Deliver us,
Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us
free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for
the coming of our Savior , Jesus Christ. Amen."