Read 2 Chronicles 24:17-25, Ps. 89:4-5,29-34, Matthew 6:24-34
“Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on.” (Matthew 6:25)
Jesus taught us to store up treasures for ourselves in heaven, a place where neither moth nor rust nor thieves can break in or destroy. Jesus knew His listeners were struggling to accept this teaching. He knew the question in their hearts: “If we direct our focus to heavenly treasures, how then are we going to feed, pay school fees for the kids, and take care of electricity bills, house rent, medicals, and so on and so on?”
In response, Jesus tells us: “seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness and all these other things shall be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:33). In other words, Jesus is saying: “Relax, pursue God’s business and God will make you his business.” Serve God with your whole heart, don’t worry, God is not so irresponsible that he doesn’t know your needs. Trust God, make him your priority, concentrate on storing treasures in heaven (doing good deeds, helping the poor and needy, etc.) and God will NEVER let you suffer.
Joash was the young king whose life was spared from the wicked Athaliah. His rise to power was made possible by a couple of brave men and women including a priest Jehoiada who risked their lives and succeeded in hiding him for seven whole years. Having risen to power, Joash became something else. He gave the command for the killing of Jehoiada’s son Zechariah who was simply trying to call the people to return back to God. With only a few men, the Syrian army massacred down the great army of Judah.
The Bible is replete with stories of God’s providence. From the miraculous birth of children to barren women to the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea by the Nation of Israel when the Egyptians were chasing after them, to the miracles of Jesus in the New Testament such as the feeding of five thousand with just five loaves and two fish, God continues to teach us a lesson in PROVIDENCE. The problem with us humans is that we don’t want to learn, we don’t trust God.
Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, teach me to seek you first, to do your work before I think of mine, teach me to trust you with all my heart and mind. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Saturday of week 11 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Chronicles 24:17-25, Ps. 89:4-5,29-34, Matthew 6:24-34)
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu