Thursday readings Cana Week

1 Timothy 6:6-12
Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it. If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that. Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains. But you, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses. Praise be to God always.
Matthew 6:25-34
“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 food 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? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. This is the Truth. Peace be with you.

Give up worry for Lent! While it is ok to prudently plan ahead, we should not worry about tomorrow. Worrying is marked by inaction, loss of focus on the present day, and a lack of trust in God. It is imprudent not to study for a test, but it is worry if after taking the test or after studying you think about the test rather than something else you should be doing. What is it that we should be doing instead of worrying? -Seeking the kingdom. We seek the kingdom, through focusing on our relationship with God and the Church, through praying with our families, through being an example of Christian love, mercy, peace, and joy, and through being free to tell others about the love, mercy, peace, and joy God has given us. The peace comes when we have given up worrying, and the worrying gives way when we have invite God’s mercy and love into our worry.