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First Reading Isaiah 49:14–15 Can a mother forget her infant? Even should she forget, I will never forget you
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 62:2–3,6–9 Only in God be at rest, my soul.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 4:1–5 The Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and manifest the intentions of the heart.
Gospel Reading Matthew 6:24–34 Enough, then, of worrying about tomorrow. Let tomorrow take care of itself.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today’s Gospel reading is from part three of the Sermon on the Mount’s three-part instruction by Jesus on the way of life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Part three deals with trusting God and performing deeds of loving service to our neighbor.
The Aramaic word mammon does not have a negative connotation. It means “property” or “money.” What Matthew is pointing out is that since human beings are not self-sufficient, we are dependent on something outside ourselves. It should be God, not the material goods we own. This is not to say that we don’t need material goods. But the reading goes on to remind us not to be anxious. Look at the beauty of nature. The birds do not sow or reap. The flowers do not work or spin cloth. Yet they are provided for by God. Human beings are worth much more than these. How could God not provide for us as well? If what we place first in our lives is God’s kingdom and his justice, we will have what we need.
Matthew concludes by reminding us to address each day’s problems as they come, confident that we are in God’s loving care. He is a loving father who holds the whole world in his hands. He will certainly care for us.