Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: June 22, 2024

Date: Saturday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Matthew 6:24-34

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."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 than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wildflowers 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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today continues our reading of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In today’s segment, Jesus reminds us that life is about our relationship with the LORD rather than about the acquiring of material goods. Jesus goes on to assure us that the LORD knows our needs, so we should not be anxious.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I anxious about transitory things? Am I focused on my relationships, especially my relationship with the LORD?

Praying:

LORD, You created us. You know our needs before we do. Open us to your wondrous and loving power and presence in our lives. Soothe our unnecessary anxiety about life and help us to focus on what is truly necessary, what is truly our purpose, building and strengthening our relationship with You and carrying that into our relationship with our sisters and brothers. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.