Sunday, March 2, 2014

Eighth Sunday of Ordinary time – Cycle (March 2, 2014)


First reading: Is. 49: 14-15
“But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.’  Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?  Even should she forget, I will never forget you.”
 

Second reading: 1 Cor. 4: 1-5
“Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.  It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord.  Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.”
 

Gospel reading: Mt. 6: 24-34
“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 that they?  Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?  Why are you anxious about cloths?  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.”

 

Introductory theme summary:
The theme of today’s readings address trusting in God’s faithfulness, even in the hardest of life’s circumstances.


Reflection:
Most people are aware of the saying that no one can serve both God and mammon, but what might have escaped the attention of many is the broadness of what qualifies as serving mammon.  In today’s gospel reading Jesus gives us the very basic circumstances of worrying about what one will eat, drink or wear for His example to us of what actually qualifies as serving mammon; and if focusing one’s energies in life to acquiring these basic necessities qualify, how much more so would it apply to us seeing the rest of life’s amenities?  Certainly many Christians out there have accepted the principle that the love of money is the root of all evil; but it’s doubtful that this understanding for serving mammon has even been recognized, much less accepted, by many Christians. 

Unfortunately, those who measure the quality of life by the successful acquisition of their necessities and amenities in life are actually serving mammon rather than God, regardless of how they presume.  The implications from this is staggering!!!  How many of us are wrong?  How many of those who are wrong, are humble enough to admit it?  How many of those who are humble enough, are also sincere enough to make the necessary changes?  How many of those who are sincere, also possess the conviction necessary to accomplish the change?  And finally, how many of those who go so far as to make the change will remain faithful to it?
Perhaps the most important perspective to realize is, if one has made the successful acquisition of the necessities, and amenities, of life their primary objective in life, as most people do these days, then its highly doubtful that sufficient energy has been committed to serving God in order to actually qualify as being God’s servant.  And let’s face it, one must first serve the Lord before his or her service can be judged as faithful or otherwise.

Do you use your faith to obtain “the good life,”?  Remember, those who love their life will lose it.[1]
So, all the affluent Christians need to ask themselves: How much money does a person really need to make?  How big does a house really need to be?  How nice of a car does a person really need to have?  Does a person really need expensive toys?  What about designer clothes, and purses, and jewelry?  The questions can go on and on and on!  While the needs of the people around you are equally endless!!!

Our Lord’s message is not an easy one to live by, but well worth the inevitable sacrifices for those who find the faith necessary to live according to His commands!  
Yes . . .  COMMANDS!  These are not options!!!

Come, let us obey the Lord’s will to show ourselves as faithful servants who trust in his recompense while we patiently wait for his return; for he is faithful, and all his way are trustworthy!!!



[1] Jn. 12:25  “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.”

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