In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us about serving two masters: “You cannot serve God and mammon.” If you’re like me, you aren’t certain exactly what mammon means. It’s anything in this world – such as material wealth, money, or possessions – that we look to for security instead of trusting God to provide for us.
Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental health issues in the world. In the U.S., one in every five adults is diagnosed with anxiety. Yes, there’s much to be anxious about in today’s world – job security, household bills, family relationships, our children’s health, our aging parents, and more. For many, the unknown future lies at the root of our anxiety. We worry about being unable to control every aspect of our lives. We’re anxious about making mistakes that could lead to unexpected loss or suffering. It doesn’t help that every time we turn on the news, we’re faced with fear, outrage, and negativity.
Earlier this year, our family experienced some major life changes with many overlapping pieces. There were moments when I started thinking about how much needed to be done by the end of next week and felt overwhelmed by everything in between rather than focusing only on what needed to happen that day. When I got anxious about how we were going to get to that future moment, my husband would rein me in, saying, “Stay focused, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. We’re not there yet!”
When we find ourselves fretting over how a situation is going to play out, remember that God created us and He cares for all creation. If He provides for the birds and the flowers, how much more does God love and provide for us? Jesus gently reminds us that everything we need is provided for us. Everything. Throughout Scripture we are called to trust God. With God in our life, there is nothing we shall want. Everything will be all right. So why should we worry about tomorrow? Instead let’s focus on where God is providing for us today. And trust that no matter what we are facing or what feels insurmountable, God has a plan for it.
Imagine how refreshing it could be to truly embrace Jesus’ command to not worry about our life. To dismiss every anxious moment by simply meditating on today’s Gospel. If you find yourself anxious today, read this Gospel again carefully. Pause and breathe deeply, centering your thoughts on God and His love for you. Think of all He has taken care of for you in the past. Trust that He is fully present, loving you today, and taking care of whatever lies ahead. Instead of worrying about what might happen next week or next month, keep your eyes fixed on the present and trust in God for your daily needs. God created us, loves us, and takes care of us. Always.
En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús nos advierte sobre servir a dos señores: “no pueden ustedes servir a Dios y al dinero”. Si eres como yo, no tienes claro qué significa exactamente “el dinero”. Significa cualquier cosa en este mundo, como la riqueza material, el dinero o las posesiones, a la que acudimos para sentirnos seguros en lugar de confiar en que Dios nos proveerá.
El trastorno de ansiedad es uno de los problemas de salud mental más comunes en el mundo. En Estados Unidos, uno de cada cinco adultos es diagnosticado con ansiedad. Sí, hay muchas razones para preocuparse en el mundo actual: la seguridad laboral, las facturas del hogar, las relaciones familiares, la salud de nuestros hijos, nuestros padres ancianos y más. Para muchos, la incertidumbre sobre el futuro es la raíz de nuestra ansiedad. Nos preocupa no poder controlar todos los aspectos de nuestra vida. Nos angustia cometer errores que podrían llevarnos a pérdidas o sufrimiento inesperados. No ayuda que cada vez que vemos las noticias, nos enfrentemos al miedo, la indignación y la negatividad.
A principios de este año, nuestra familia experimentó varios cambios fuertes, con muchas partes entrelazadas. Hubo momentos en que comencé a pensar en cuánto faltaba para el final de la semana siguiente y me sentí abrumada por todo lo que quedaba entremedio, en lugar de concentrarme solo en lo que debía suceder ese día. Cuando me angustiaba pensar en cómo llegaríamos a ese momento futuro, mi esposo me frenaba, diciéndome: “Concéntrate, ya lo superaremos cuando lleguemos. ¡Aún no hemos llegado!”
Cuando nos encontremos preocupados por cómo se desarrollará una situación, recordemos que Dios nos creó y cuida de toda la creación. Si Él provee para los pájaros y las flores, ¿cuánto más nos ama y provee Dios para nosotros? Jesús nos recuerda con ternura que todo lo que necesitamos nos es provisto. Todo. A lo largo de las Escrituras se nos llama a confiar en Dios. Con Dios en nuestra vida, no nos faltará nada. Todo estará bien. Entonces, ¿por qué preocuparnos por el mañana? En cambio, concentrémonos en lo que Dios nos está proveyendo hoy. Y confía en que, sin importar lo que enfrentemos o lo que parezca insuperable, Dios tiene un plan para ello.
Imagina lo refrescante que sería aceptar verdaderamente el mandato de Jesús de no preocuparnos por nuestra vida. Deshacernos de cada momento de ansiedad simplemente meditando en el Evangelio de hoy. Si hoy te sientes ansioso, vuelve a leer este Evangelio con atención. Haz una pausa y respira profundamente, centrando tus pensamientos en Dios y su amor por ti. Piensa en todo lo que Él ha cuidado de ti en el pasado. Confía en que Él está plenamente presente, amándote hoy y cuidando de lo que venga. En lugar de preocuparte por lo que pueda suceder la próxima semana o el próximo mes, mantén la vista fija en el presente y confía en Dios para tus necesidades diarias. Dios nos creó, nos ama y nos cuida. Siempre.
Shelly Henley Kelly is a wife, mother of three, and native Texan who writes and records a podcast with her sister on Of Sound Mind and Spirit and is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom. When not writing or recording, Shelly can be found volunteering as a Youth Ministry Catechist, keeping the scorebook at her son’s baseball games, diving deep into historical research, or hiding with a good book in between games.
Feature Image Credit: Djalma Paiva Armelin, pexels.com/photo/green-and-black-hummingbird-705314/
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
Daily Reading
Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
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Saint of the Day
Saint Paulinus of Nola
Saint Paulinus of Nola (353-431) was a Roman Senator who converted to a severe monasticism in 394. He eventually became Bishop of Nola, and helped to resolve the disputed election