“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?"
(Matthew 6:25)
Jesus teaches that we cannot serve two masters. This means we must choose between serving God and pursuing material wealth. Our hearts should be fully devoted to God, not divided by conflicting loyalties. We should not worry about our basic needs like food, drink, and clothing. Instead, we should prioritize our relationship with God and live according to His will. When we do this, God promises to provide for our needs. Worrying does not add any value to our lives, we should focus on the present and trust God for tomorrow. Let us live a life of faith, trust, and devotion to God, freeing us from the anxieties of material concerns.
24 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. 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? 26 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? 27 Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? 28 Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. 29 But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. 30 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? 31 So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ 32 All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. 34 Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” (Matthew 6:24-34)
In the teachings of Jesus, clear and bright, we cannot serve two masters, day or night. Choose we must, between God and gold, our hearts to Him, fully and bold. Not divided by wealth’s fleeting call, but devoted to God, giving our all. Worry not for food, drink, or attire, for God’s provision is our heart’s desire. Prioritize Him, live by His will, in His promises, our needs He’ll fulfill. Worry adds no value, no gain, trust in God, through joy and pain. Focus on the present, let tomorrow be, in faith and trust, we are truly free. Live a life of devotion, pure and true, free from material concerns, in all we do.
Lord Jesus, You teach us that we cannot serve two masters. Help us to choose You over the pursuit of material wealth. May our hearts be fully devoted to You, undivided by conflicting loyalties. Teach us not to worry about our basic needs, for You promise to provide for us. Help us to prioritize our relationship with You, living according to Your will. Remind us that worrying adds no value to our lives, and guide us to focus on the present, trusting You for tomorrow. Grant us the faith, trust, and devotion to live free from the anxieties of material concerns. In Your holy name, we pray, Amen.
God is just and sovereign, ensuring that unfaithfulness and injustice are addressed, even if it takes time. Idolatry and of turning away from God leads to severe consequences and serious repercussions. It is a sin that can lead us to our downfall and destruction. It is important for us to have a steadfast faith and loyalty to God, regardless of external influences. Let us stand up for truth and righteousness, despite potential risks.
17 After the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and the king then listened to them. 18 They forsook the temple of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and began to serve the sacred poles and the idols; and because of this crime of theirs, wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem. 19 Although prophets were sent to them to convert them to the Lord, the people would not listen to their warnings. 20 Then the Spirit of God possessed Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest. He took his stand above the people and said to them: “God says, ‘Why are you transgressing the Lord’s commands, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have abandoned the Lord, he has abandoned you.’” 21 But they conspired against him, and at the king’s order they stoned him to death in the court of the Lord’s temple. 22 Thus King Joash was unmindful of the devotion shown him by Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, and slew his son. And as Zechariah was dying, he said, “May the Lord see and avenge.” 23 At the turn of the year a force of Arameans came up against Joash. They invaded Judah and Jerusalem, did away with all the princes of the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus. 24 Though the Aramean force came with few men, the Lord surrendered a very large force into their power, because Judah had abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers. So punishment was meted out to Joash. 25 After the Arameans had departed from him, leaving him in grievous suffering, his servants conspired against him because of the murder of the son of Jehoiada the priest. He was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. (2 Chronicles 24:17-25)
In the realm where justice reigns, God’s sovereign hand remains, Addressing unfaithfulness and wrong, Even if it takes time, it won’t be long. Idolatry and turning away, Lead to consequences, severe dismay, A sin that brings us to our fall, Destruction’s shadow over all. Yet in the midst of worldly strife, We hold steadfast to the life, Faith and loyalty to God above, Guided by His eternal love. Stand for truth, for righteousness, Despite the risks, we must confess, For in His grace, we find our way, Through every night, to brighter day.
Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging Your justice and sovereignty. We trust that in Your perfect timing, unfaithfulness and injustice will be addressed. Help us to remember that idolatry and turning away from You lead to severe consequences and serious repercussions. Guard our hearts against such sins that can lead to our downfall and destruction. Grant us a steadfast faith and unwavering loyalty to You, regardless of the external influences we face. Strengthen our resolve to stand up for truth and righteousness, even when it comes with potential risks. May we always seek to honor You in our actions and decisions. Guide us, Lord, and fill us with Your wisdom and courage. Let Your light shine through us, that we may be a beacon of Your love and justice in this world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
God’s discipline is a form of His love, aimed at correcting and guiding us back to righteousness. Despite the potential for disobedience, God promises that His lovingkindness will not be taken away. His faithfulness will not fail, emphasizing His steadfast love and mercy. God will not violate His covenant or alter what He has spoken assuring us of the reliability and trustworthiness of God’s word. This eternal covenant is a testament to God’s unchanging nature and His faithfulness across generations. While God’s promise is steadfast, it also implies a call for us to remain faithful and obedient to God’s laws.
4 “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 5 Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.” (R) 29 “Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm. 30 I will make his posterity endure forever and his throne as the days of heaven.” (R) 31 “If his sons forsake my law and walk not according to my ordinances, 32 if they violate my statutes and keep not my commands.” (R) 33 “I will punish their crime with a rod and their guilt with stripes. 34 Yet my mercy I will not take from him, nor will I belie my faithfulness.” (Psalm 89:4-5, 29-30, 31-32, 33-34)
In the embrace of God’s loving hand, His discipline guides us to understand, a path of righteousness, clear and bright, through His love, we find the light. Though we may falter, stray, and fall,
His promises stand, strong and tall. His lovingkindness, never withdrawn, in His faithfulness, we are reborn. He will not break His sacred vow, nor alter the words He speaks now. His covenant, eternal and true, a testament of love, ever new. Generations pass, yet He remains, in steadfast love, through joys and pains. His mercy flows, unchanging grace, in His word, we find our place. So let us walk in faithful stride, with God’s laws as our guide. For in His promise, we find our call, to love, obey, and trust through all.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts open to Your loving discipline. We acknowledge that Your correction is a form of Your boundless love, guiding us back to the path of righteousness. Even when we stray, Your promises remain steadfast, and Your lovingkindness is never taken away. Lord, we are grateful for Your unwavering faithfulness. You have assured us that Your love and mercy will never fail. You will not violate Your covenant or alter the words You have spoken. This eternal covenant is a testament to Your unchanging nature and Your faithfulness across generations. Help us, O Lord, to remain faithful and obedient to Your laws. Strengthen our resolve to walk in Your ways, trusting in the reliability and trustworthiness of Your word. May we always remember that Your promises are steadfast, and Your love endures forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
DEPENDENCE ON GOD
Matthew 6:25-34
First Reading
II: The Monarchy before Hezekiah
APOSTACY OF KING JOASH
2 Chronicles 24:17-27
Responsorial Psalm
Third Book of Psalms 73-89
A LAMENT OVER GOD'S PROMISE TO DAVID
Psalm 89:1-53
Related Blogs:
https://choosethebestpart.blogspot.com/2024/06/more-to-life.html
https://progressintheserviceofgod.blogspot.com/2024/06/serving-idols.html
https://evangelizingtheworld.blogspot.com/2024/06/gods-covenant-stands-firm.html
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
