Cycle A - Year II:  

2 March 2014: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical color: Green)

Matthew 6:24-34

Trust that God will provide!

I overheard a conversation between two buddies that the best argument to stay faithful to one's wife is that "you cannot serve two masters!" Of course, it was said in gist, but the wise words have their biblical roots.

Kidding aside, what do we mean by the word "master"? Our "master" is that which governs our thoughts, shape our ideals, controls the desire of the heart and the values we choose to live by. So now, who is the "master" in charge of your life?

In the Gospel Jesus tells his disciples that they cannot serve two masters: God and the world. It is not possible that someone wants to submit to God but also lives according to the world's standard of success and fulfillment.

In practical life, we are ruled by many different things, like love of money or possession, the power of position, the glamour of wealth and prestige, the driving force of unruly passions and addictions. Ultimately, our choice boils down to two: God and mammon. What is "mammon"? It stands for "material wealth or possessions", or whatever tends to "control our appetites and desires."

We know from experience that it is always a struggle to choose between God against the temptations  of materials things in our world. Especially if we are shortsighted, meaning we think only of the here and now, we readily choose wealth.

Yet, the truth is that material things no matter how enormous will surely disappear someday. It may stay with us and enjoy it for a period of time but eventually it will leave us or we will leave it. Because there is no security in material wealth.

Jesus tells his disciples that God alone has the power to set them free from the slavery of sin and fear. He uses an illustration from nature --the birds and the flowers-- to show how God provides for them in the natural order of God's creation. So how much more can we, as God's children, rely upon God's providential care?

Every time we recite the "Our Father" we are reminded that God is our provider when we pray: "Give us this day our daily bread". Because bread is the very staple of life, and symbol of all that we need to live and grow.

In sum, Jesus does not say that we don't have to work to earn our living. But he tells us not to worry about tomorrow and put our total trust that God will provide for our needs. Because our God is utterly reliable.

A blessed Sunday to us all, and thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!