First Reading
Isaiah 49:14-15
Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me;
my LORD has forgotten me.”
Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R/ (6a) Rest in God alone, my soul.
Only in God is my soul at rest;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all.
R/ Rest in God alone, my soul.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
R/ Rest in God alone, my soul.
With God is my safety and my glory,
he is the rock of my strength; my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him.
R/ Rest in God alone, my soul.
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Brothers and sisters:
Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Now it is of course required of stewards
that they be found trustworthy.
It does not concern me in the least
that I be judged by you or any human tribunal;
I do not even pass judgment on myself;
I am not conscious of anything against me,
but I do not thereby stand acquitted;
the one who judges me is the Lord.
Therefore do not make any judgment before the appointed time,
until the Lord comes,
for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness
and will manifest the motives of our hearts,
and then everyone will receive praise from God.
Gospel
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 wild flowers 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.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
TITLE: SOCIAL INSECURITY
"Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first His kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides." –Matthew 6:32-33
Are you secure in God's love? Are you sure that, even if a mother forgets her infant, the Lord would never forget you? (Is 49:15) If you lost your job, would you worry? If you didn't know where your next meal was coming from, would you be upset? Do you believe that your heavenly Father is a real Father Who provides for His family? Do you feel so insured by being a child of God that having man's insurance would be superfluous or even a means of doubting God's providence?
We can't serve two masters; we should not worry but trust God for our basic needs (Mt 6:24). Many of today's Christians have placed themselves in the most insecure situation possible, that is, depending on themselves for security.
PRAYER: Jesus, may I lose my life so You can save me (Lk 9:24).
PROMISE: "The Lord is the One to judge me, so stop passing judgment before the time of His return." –1 Cor 4:4-5
PRAISE: Praise You, Jesus! Your dependence on the Father set us free to abandon ourselves to His care. Thank You, Father!
...the word of the Lord...
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