Seek First the Kingdom of God

I think this time we can just jump right into a reading! 

Matthew 6:28-34 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.

Spring always reminds me of that reading.  The flowers are in bloom, birds are coming back and feeding.  Time to take to the lake and go fishing.  It's pretty obvious why this reading and Spring are associated.

Luke 12:22 throws in the birds as well for good measure:

Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds!

I don't worry so much about what I wear I guess, just ask the folks I work with who think I have never heard what an iron is!  I do, however worry about food.  I also worry about material things.  We have a house alarm to protect all of our material things.  I'm always looking for the next thing to get.  Maybe a kayak, maybe some new arrows, perhaps some new hiking shoes.  Do I put the search for these earthly kingdom things above the search for God's kingdom?  At times I would have to say yes.

1 Timothy 6:7-10 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. 

The above verse contains a very misquoted line.  Usually you here folks say "money is the root of all evil".  They very rarely know that this is biblical.  They also very rarely add the first part "LOVE OF MONEY".  Money itself isn't evil but when I get overcome with a desire to make more money and that wins over my desire to gain a heavenly kingdom and it's then that evil has won out.  The kingdom of Heaven should be my primary concern, always.


I think it might be best to let Toby Mac say it in his song "Lose My Soul"

Philippians 4:6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God

I thank God everyday that we, as Catholics have the sacrament of confession!
PEACE!