8th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Feb. 27, 2011

February 27, 2011 ~ Liturgical Year A, Cycle I ~ Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time




First Reading: Isaiah 49:14-15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 62:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34


Gospel Reflection


Stress is one of the biggest struggles people have today. With the constant struggle for getting ahead in life, every person is faced with decisions about how to grow and improve so that our future will be on a solid foundation. We take so much time in preparing for the future that it borders on an obsession, and at times it can seem like our only reason for existing. So we put our plans for the future together…and God laughs at us, knowing that even our best plans can be out of our control in a given moment. If we close our eyes and imagine Jesus saying these words today in our midst, we would not have to change one word from this Gospel, for its meaning today is just as powerful as it was 2000 years ago when Jesus first said these words. Jesus knows how much we worry, and how prone we are to get ahead of ourselves. He tells us very clearly to let go of worry and to put our complete trust in Him. Now, before we all pack it in and decide to go on a permanent vacation, let’s be careful not to read into Jesus’ words. He is not telling us to be irresponsible, to shirk our duties and our responsibilities in life. Following Jesus will require us to get up and grow. He is not telling us to be passive in our lives, but rather He’s telling us to trust Him. While it is easy to say ‘trust Jesus’, the challenge becomes really doing it. Jesus knows that it is a struggle for us to let go of control, but He has faith that we can do it, as long as we ask Him for help. We all know that we, one day, will no longer walk this earth. Rather than cause us fear, we should begin to live today as if we are in eternity, with the mindset that Jesus really has our future in His hands. Our ability to trust may have been limited because a hurt we have received. Let us ask Jesus from the depths of our hearts to overcome anything that is getting in the way of this. As we reflect on this Gospel, let’s challenge ourselves to really put Jesus’ words into action. Worry and fear will paralyze a person, reducing us to slaves of our thoughts. Jesus comes to give us life, to set us free from bondage, and in doing so, be a witness of freedom to others. May we have the grace to give our deepest concerns back to the Lord, trusting in His loving guidance each and every day.


Reflection Questions 


1. What is ‘mammon’? Why would Jesus say it is impossible to serve both God and mammon?


2. Jesus tells His listeners to avoid the things the pagans seek. How do people seek these things today? Give examples.


3. If today your life was free from worry, what would it look like? Describe. How can Jesus help us to overcome worry in our lives?




Rdgs & Reflection come from YM Central.com