The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to prioritize our actions by striving to live as members of the Body of Christ.
The reading from the Second Letter of Chronicles describes the death of Joash.
Psalm 89 praises God’s Covenant with David.
* [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Ps 89:39–52). (Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew warns against serving Two Masters and exhorts us to Not Worry.
* [6:24] Mammon: an Aramaic word meaning wealth or property.
* [6:25–34] Jesus does not deny the reality of human needs (Mt 6:32), but forbids making them the object of anxious care and, in effect, becoming their slave.
* [6:27] Life-span: the Greek word can also mean “stature.” If it is taken in that sense, the word here translated moment (literally, “cubit”) must be translated literally as a unit not of time but of spatial measure. The cubit is about eighteen inches.
* [6:30] Of little faith: except for the parallel in Lk 12:28, the word translated of little faith is found in the New Testament only in Matthew. It is used by him of those who are disciples of Jesus but whose faith in him is not as deep as it should be (see Mt 8:26; 14:31; 16:8 and the cognate noun in Mt 17:20).
* [6:33] Righteousness: see note on Mt 3:14–15. (Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Steve Scholer comments that life itself can be overwhelming. There are plenty of negative events each of us may face, including the death of a loved one, a divorce, losing one’s job, a serious medical diagnosis, or financial hardship.
With so much heaped upon us, where do we turn? To whom do we ask for help and guidance? Our family and friends can be a great source of support, but the best thing to do is to take our worries to the Lord. Let God know what is overwhelming you. Share your fears and anxieties with God and ask him to take them from you.
In your prayer today, acknowledge that in all things it is God who is in control, and that because of his infinite love for each of us, and because he accepts us regardless of our frailties and faults, we need not worry. With this burden off our shoulders, we can live a joyful life serving the Lord. (Scholer, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “The value of life,” by John Chrysostom, 547-407 A.D.
"Note the acceleration of images: just when the lilies are decked out, he no longer calls them lilies but 'grass of the field' (Matthew 6:30 ). He then points further to their vulnerable condition by saying 'which are here today.' Then he does not merely say 'and not tomorrow' but rather more callously 'cast into the oven.' These creatures are not merely 'clothed but 'so clothed' in this way as to be later brought to nothing. Do you see how Jesus everywhere abounds in amplifications and intensifications? And he does so in order to press his points home. So then he adds, 'Will he not much more clothe you?' The force of the emphasis is on 'you' to indicate covertly how great is the value set upon your personal existence and the concern God shows for you in particular. It is as though he were saying, 'You, to whom he gave a soul, for whom he fashioned a body, for whose sake he made everything in creation, for whose sake he sent prophets, and gave the law, and wrought those innumerable good works, and for whose sake he gave up his only begotten Son.'" (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 22.1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 6:24-34 asks what does it mean to seek first the kingdom? It means to seek Jesus himself. Seek him before all else, and as we do, he will change our attitudes, our priorities, and even the things we worry about. He will help us to trust in his provision. What might this look like? Let’s start with prayer.
God honors your efforts to worship him; he changes your heart so that it reflects his own. He makes it humbler, simpler, more loving. And that affects everything else.
It changes the way you relate to your family. You find joy in expecting not to be served at home but to serve your family members. When you seek to love as Jesus loves, you create a loving environment in your home, where strained relationships can be healed.
It changes the way you approach your work. You try to honor God whether or not you get rewarded for it. As you take the focus off yourself, your performance might even improve!
It changes your perspective. You start to see with Jesus’ eyes what you really need and what’s not essential. With that new outlook, you might even realize you’re the richest person in the world!
So seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness. Because as you do, you will receive the blessing of becoming more and more like Jesus and sharing his love in every area of your life.
“Lord, help me to seek you above all things.” (Meditation on Matthew 6:24-34, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on how the priest who saved Joash is stoned to death as a consequence of bringing back the cult of pagan objects. Matthew expresses Jesus' proclamation that we cannot serve two masters. Friar Jude reminds us that we are in the world but not of the world when we do not forget the needs of the poor.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces indigenous author and poet Pixie Lighthorse who names the conscious care and attention we must give to our wounds in order for them to heal.
Yes, we humans can power through—and it is a most helpful skill when it is used in the short term to get through the immediate tasks at hand. Over long periods, hyper-strengthening has a tightening effect—cutting off the flow of oxygen to whatever within us is still seeking healing.
The tissue is pale at the site where the wound is held, and my body has experienced problems in places like these. Where there is constriction, there is no air or blood flow. Our parts are cut off from the whole, separated and over-protected, if not strangulated.
Breathe deep and long into these areas, bringing conscious awareness into the constricted focal points, warming them with your breath and even physical touch. Let your breath be deep and prolonged over tight areas; this is akin to the act of stretching muscles that have been engaged in heavy lifting, giving them space and the opportunity to repair. Growth happens on the emotional and spiritual level when you work an area and give equal time to relaxing it with the spaciousness of your care and attention.
I allow oxygen to infuse my cells with life force,
breathing into the constricted places in my body
that have grown tight with fear. (Rohr, n.d.)
We may find ourselves very busy and occupied with the tasks of our daily lives and we are invited to seek the peace of guidance by the Spirit to transform our actions into movements toward fullness of life in Jesus Way.
References
Matthew, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6
Meditation on Matthew 6:24-34. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/06/22/1005562/
Psalms, PSALM 89 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/89?4
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/
Scholer, S. (2024, June 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/062224.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jun22
2 Chronicles, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 22, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2chronicles/24?17
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