Word to the Wise
Saturday, June 23, 2007 - Eleventh Saturday in Ordinary Time
[2 Corinthians 12:1-10 and Matthew 6:24-34]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 good 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?
A certain generation of us can remember the MAD MAGAZINE with its character, Alfred E. Newman, whose portrait with the words, "What me? Worry?" were famous. I love to read this passage in the sermon on the mount because I know that I worry a lot. Perhaps it's the thorn in my side that St. Paul speaks of in the first scripture of today. A dear friend of mine reminded me recently of the last few words quoted above, "Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?" Yes, yes! I know, I know! St. Paul reminds us that our own strength is not enough. We need God's strength. We need God's providence. I may toss and turn in my sleep, but I am reminded of a statement by a famous French Dominican theologian, "All that I have ever studied convinces me that God's providence rises before the dawn!" Each day, I'm part of God's providence for those birds since I fill the feeders outside my window. I have a feeling that my friends who support, love and pray for me are part of God's providence for taking care of me. The same is true, I'm sure for you! So, why worry? Hmmmmm. AMEN