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Saturday, June 22, 2013

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St. Paulinus of Nola
Sts. John Fisher
& Thomas More


2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Psalm 34:8-13
Matthew 6:24-34

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not a worry in the world?

"Stop worrying, then, over questions like, 'What are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear?' " —Matthew 6:31

Many people today are learning about stress management. The Lord wants to do better than that. He teaches us stress banishment. He commands us: "Do not worry about your livelihood, what you are to eat or drink or use for clothing" (Mt 6:25, 31). Jesus questions us: "Which of you by worrying can add a moment to his life-span?" (Mt 6:27) He commands us again: "Enough, then, of worrying about tomorrow" (Mt 6:34).

How can we obey Jesus' commands to stop worrying?

  • Serve only one master, that is, God (Mt 6:24).
  • "Give yourself to God" alone (Mt 6:24).
  • "Look at the birds in the sky" (Mt 6:26).
  • "Learn a lesson from the way the wild flowers grow" (Mt 6:28).
  • Believe in your heavenly Father (Mt 6:32).
  • "Seek first His kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides" (Mt 6:33).

Give your life to Jesus, and you won't have a worry in the world.

Prayer:  Father, give me Your "peace, which is beyond all understanding" (Phil 4:7).

Promise:  "Therefore I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong." —2 Cor 12:10

Praise:  After the death of his infant son, St. Paulinus did not become embittered, but only committed his life even more to God.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 18, 2013

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