Saturday, June 22, 2019

Saturday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time

Readings for Today

Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop or Saints John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr and Thomas More, Martyr – Optional Memorial

“Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?…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.” Matthew 6:27 & 33-34

This is advice that we all need to hear. But, as the saying goes, “It’s easier said than done.”

Worrying can become for some people just a normal part of life. The things we worry about each and every day can include a myriad of concerns. Finances, relationships, work, family, health and many other things in life can be the cause of much worrying, fear, anxiety and even depression. Excessive worrying can truly become a heavy burden if not handled properly.

So what is the proper way to deal with the things you worry about? Trust. Trust in God, in His fidelity, in His all-consuming love for you, and in His providence. He loves you and is concerned about you more than you will ever know. And He is aware of every detail and problem you may face.

If we truly understood the love of God and His infinite wisdom, we would not worry about a thing. We would be able to trust and surrender all to Him every day and we would allow Him to enter in and to direct us in hope according to His perfect plan for our lives. But, as mentioned above, this is easier said than done.

Another key factor in overcoming the worries and anxieties of life is to seek the Truth. Knowing the truth frees us and it enables us to see the hand of God at work even in the most difficult of situations. God never abandons us even though it may feel like that at times. If we can seek out His voice, His will, His wisdom and His truth, it will be much easier to place our trust in Him. And when we place our trust in Him, we find peace in our soul and feel the heavy weight of our worry lift away.

Reflect, today, upon that which you worry about the most. It may be an extremely heavy and burdensome fear. Or, it may just be this constant thought in the back of your mind. Whatever the case may be for you, try to identify that which seems to burden you the most and is the greatest source of concern. Then try to seek God’s truth as it applies to your situation so that you can then surrender in trust to His perfect plan for your life.

Lord, I do trust in You, but I also fail to trust enough. When the burdens and worries of life weigh me down, help me to surrender those concerns over to You. Jesus, I trust in You.

More Gospel Reflections

Divine Mercy Reflections

Saints of the Day – Saint Paulinus of Nola – Saints John Fisher and Thomas More