Lion King is a popular movie - both the original cartoon and the live action version. Of course, one of the more popular songs is Hakuna Matata. It is a Swahili phrase which means "no worries". In the song, it says that Hakuna Matata Means no worries for the rest of your days. Though in life we would have problems, we should take in this attitude and not worry, because God is always there taking care of us.
The gospel tells us one of the most assuring promises for me. These two verses never fail to calm me and assure me of God's love, plan, and protection.
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
Do not worry.
In life, there are lots of reasons to worry. And lots of things to worry about. Pandemic. Work. Career. Health. Finances. Safety. Lovelife. These are only the basics. Some people further expand this by adding more things: fame. Power. Reputation. Possessions. The gospel says this. But we should know better. We should know how to react. If one focuses on these things, then the quality of life would really be affected. But today we see how we should deal with these things.
Faith in God.
They say that if you worry a lot, it means you don’t have faith in God. Makes sense. Because we can't do anything by worrying. Jesus asks us not to worry about tomorrow and all the concerns it brings. We should just have faith in God. We should just focus on God. We should just seek God.
Would seeking God and following God solve our concerns? Will it take our problems away? Yes - but probably not in a way we want to. As we seek Him, He won't give us worldly solutions - food, money, security, etc. However, he will change our hearts to become more and more like him. And as we become more and more like him, we will see things in a different perspective. We will rely on him more. And the things we consider problems won't be so big anymore. As we seek Him, we will find him and the peace he brings amidst the distractions in this world.
Especially now, we have a lot to worry about. With this pandemic, people are worried and stressed. So this is a perfect reminder to not worry and just trust God more. No matter how challenging or difficult, we should trust Him more now.
How do I react to problems? Do I stress over them, or do I have faith in God’s power? How am I living my life? Am I calm or am I always stressed? What is this telling me about my relationship with God? How can I improve and strengthen my relationship with God?
May we learn not to worry but to trust in God all the time.
Father God,
Especially now, we have a lot to worry about. With this pandemic, people are worried and stressed. So this is a perfect reminder to not worry and just trust God more. No matter how challenging or difficult, we should trust Him more now.
FIRST READING
Brothers and sisters:
I must boast; not that it is profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter. About this man I will boast, but about myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for nought is lacking to those who fear him. The great grow poor and hungry; but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Come, children, hear me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Which of you desires life, and takes delight in prosperous days?
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Jesus said to his disciples:
“No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
“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.”
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