Set your Heart on the Kingdom

The Sunday Gospel [February 27, 2011]

Matthew 6:24-34

Set your Heart on the Kingdom

[Jesus said to his disciples:] 24“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.

25“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? 26Look 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? 27Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? 28Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. 29But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. 30If 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? 31So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ 32All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. 34Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

Reflection

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” ~ Jesus in v. 33

Some questions I asked myself, many years ago, about the gospel today: Is God really No.1 in my life or not? How I use my money and possessions is an indication of where I put my trust. God is certainly worthy of being put first because he promises to care for me. I do not have to worry; worrying does not do me any good anyway. So, the problem to be solved is: How can I put God first and provide for my own needs at the same time? Turn the problem over to God. He will help you sort out your priorities. That's what I did. He has not only kept his promise, he has also showered me with blessing upon blessing. Praise the Lord!

“There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste; when I see people throwing away things we could use.” ~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Note: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/)