Abbey-Roads2

I don’t know…I don’t know what…what to do. - Ce Ce Peniston (one of my favorite songs). 

The lesson from today’s Gospel pretty much teaches us not to worry about what the future holds.  No one is exempt from the tendency to worry.  People nearing retirement, or those already there, often worry about their health and welfare, if the money is going to hold out, health care issues, social security, so on and so forth.  The sick worry that their cancer treatment may not be effective, or the cancer is going to spread, and so on.

Younger people worry about educating their kids, along with all the financial challenges young couples face.  Single people worry about their job, salaries, health benefits, etc.  Some worry about vocation, should I be a priest or a monk, what order should I enter, and so forth.  Yep, we all worry. 

Anxiety.

My only claim to anything remotely to do with mental disorders is that on occasion, I would have panic attacks, but I’m told many people have these at various times in their lives.  You can be treated for it, but I’ve always rode it out, much to the amazement of my doctor.  I’ve always learned something about myself, about prayer, and about God through the episodes.  Some people have to take medication for the disorder however. 

Anxiety has been the hallmark of modern life, pretty much since the atomic bomb was developed.  The existentialists describe it as existential anxiety, so when I was younger, I always thought that it was very cool to experience it as vividly as I did.  It was like a drug free acid trip at times.

Frivolous worries.

The Gospel today is in sharp contrast to our over anxious age.  Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life span?”- Matt. 6.  (Well maybe we could if we were able to do embryonic stem cell research, or produce babies we could harvest organs from.  See how that mentality is so anti-God?)

Jesus points out how beautiful the flowers of the field are, and yet women (and some men) spend millions of dollars a year on the cosmetic industry, make-up, manicures, spa treatments, hair styling and hair products - it’s a long list of wasted income. And yet they continue to worry.

Trust. 

Jesus has told various mystics that what wounds him the most is our lack of trust.  People wiill discuss the concept of faith as a gift.  Some people imagine it is not a gift, however, it surely is a gift.  Yet faith is an act of the intellect, and must be effected by the action of the will, when exercised, it inclines the believer to study and deepen his faith.  In the process, grace intervenes to illumine the mind and strengthen the will.  Hence, faith must be cultivated in order to grow, it  must be nourished and exercised through the Sacraments, good reading, prayer, etc..  Without these, the gift of faith can be lost, and we can become like the pagans.

Jesus concludes with, “Your Heavenly Father knows (what you need)…seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all things will be given you besides.  Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own evil.” - Matthew 6.

“Pray and don’t worry” - Padre Pio

In Luke, Jesus once again counsels us with greater urgency;

“Be on guard lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkeness and worldly cares.”  Indicating how these things can result in a lack of faith.  He warns us further,“The great day will suddenly close in on you like a trap.  The day I speak of will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth.  So be on the watch.  Pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21, 34-36.

Thus it is in and through prayer that we surrender our anxiety and find the solution to life’s troubles, while exercising our faith and trust.  Prayer obtains all.