Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.”

You, Lord!

1. Simplicity. The word “poverty” has been over-used negatively, so I’d like to propose the word “simplicity” instead. Being simple means knowing how to live with what you have and focusing on essentials for a good life. Material possessions serve a functional purpose in living. The problem arises when you live for material things or because of them. It’s serious when one prioritizes material things over family, health, or personal fulfilment. This can lead to great difficulties.

2. Freedom. Don’t let yourself be taken in by suffocating structuralism. That situation drags you into a system that consumes and absorbs you, leaving no room for you to truly be yourself. Ask Jesus to help you be authentic. Strive to remain true to yourself and you’ll discover what is genuinely important in life and what isn’t.

3. Worry. Learn to trust and place your life in God’s hands. I’d like to share with you Saint Charles de Foucauld’s Prayer of Abandonment

Father,

I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.

Whatever you may do,
I thank you.

I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.

Remember something good is on the way.  

God bless you and guard you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.