The Second Sunday before Lent
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow…
Collect
Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image:
Teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit
reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever.
Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.
Matthew 6: 24-34
‘No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.*
‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will 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 of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?* And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?”
For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God* and his* righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.’
Is Jesus suggesting, not to eat and drink? And is he saying we should not wear clothes but go naked?
How unrealistic is this, and how depressing – we need to eat and drink, and we need clothing.
Or are we called to acts of severe penitence, fasting, wearing sack cloth and pouring ashes over our heads?
And how would anyone, who struggles with putting food on the table and getting the basics of life, perceive those lines? Does Jesus not care about their struggles?
On the contrary.
Jesus speaks here about human obsession with material stuff, wealth, pomp and fashion, and about getting our priorities right.
Isn’t life worth more than making a superficial impression on others? He encourages us, NOT to worry but to value and to treasure life and being God’s creation.
So much time, effort and worrying goes into things that many believe are making us better, happier, superior, more confident, more attractive and more successful. Comparing themselves to others and following expectations which are neither coming from God nor thought through by each person themselves, puts people under pressure and into some sort of competition, resulting in focusing on the all kinds of material things.
Frustration and depression build up in this chase. Where is the joy, the happiness, the gratefulness and love for life which we are looking for?
Not only will we miss out on being and doing what we are created for, we will also cause damage, waste and abuse elsewhere and to others in our greed and obsession.
Jesus gives us permission and encouragement to say: ‘hold on a moment’ and to rethink what really matters to us in life, what really brings out the best in us, what makes us to flourish, be joyful, good humoured, content and loving.
Let’s not worry so much, hasn’t God created us beautifully and with many talents? Does he not want us to be joyful? Hasn’t he provided plentifully?
Hymn 365: Praise to the Lord, the almighty – Lobe den Herrn
There is a little background explanation of the hymn, which is quite nice to listen to, and the music starts at minute 13.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 3rd November 2024
This week, there is so much needing our prayer that words are not enough. We need to take our issues of concern to a much deeper level.
Praying Together 20th October 2024
God of all peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world, and on your people who cry out to you for healing, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Praying Together 13th October 2024
If the love of our worldly possessions prevents us from loving Him first, we’re stuck on earth.
The rich young man has a decision to make. So do we.
Praying together 29th September 2024
His truth is simple – it is Love. Love of God and Love of neighbour.
Praying Together 22nd September 2024
Who’s the GOAT?
That question is guaranteed to provoke endless argument, the claimed candidate being dependent on personal allegiances, age, culture and experience.
Praying Together 15th September 2024
Jesus makes it very clear that following him appears costly – if you measure it in human terms.
Praying Together 8th September 2024
And this is the time of the year when many young people are stepping out into a new chapter of life – first day at school or college, perhaps a first job – and as parents, we try to disguise our feelings of concern as we realise that we have to trust them to the Lord and let go.
Praying Together 25th August 2024
Violence achieves nothing towards bringing in the Kingdom of God. All it does is engender more violence.
Praying Together 18th August 2024
No ifs or buts. We are all one. Whoever, wherever. One family in Christ, even those who are not of the sheepfold.
Praying Together 11th August 2024
Trinity 11 Collect O God, you demonstrate your almighty power most clearly in showing mercy and pity: Mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, seeking to obey your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be allowed to share your...
Praying Together 4th August 2024
“Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6
Praying Together 28th July 2024
Trinity 9CollectAlmighty God, who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church: Open our hearts to the riches of his grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ephesians 3:...