DETACHMENT

GOSPEL

The things that truly matter are related to eternal life, not this
passing reality in the world. St. Francis of Assisi took the call of
detachment very seriously. Some say that he took it to the
extreme. Sometimes, what the world needs is a witness who
shakes up societys value system and gets people to think about
other things. Our lives should be signs of contradiction today, but
always within the perspective that it is eternal life that really
matters.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich, so that by
his poverty you might become rich.
Matthew 6:24-34
Jesus said to his disciples: No one can serve two
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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
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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
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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
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moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about

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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
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his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so 30

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
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say, What are we to eat? or What are we to drink? or

What are we to wear? All these things the pagans seek.
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Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But 33

seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and

all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry34

about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient

for a day is its own evil.
think: Sometimes, what the world needs is a witness who shakes
up societys value system and gets people to think about other
things.

T O D A YS BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________

____________________________________

Gods special verse/thought for me today_

_____________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Chronicles 7-9

Didache | Companion | Sabbath | Top

SABBATH

CONQUERING THE EVIL CALLED ANXIETY

Four times, Jesus refers to anxiety in the excerpt that we
read today from the Sermon on the Mount of Beatitudes.
Jesus defines what kinds of anxiety is He referring to as
evil. There is the worry about life (its past sins, its present
concerns, its future demands and outcomes). This is
oftentimes the ill experience of people who are so
concerned about being self-righteous. They end up with
disturbed spirits and scrupulous consciences that often
make them resort to a lot of external religious pietism.
There is the worry about necessities for life (food and
drink). This affects people who are gluttons. They often end
up obese. There is the worry about ones body
(appearances and looks). This is the anxiety of those who
are too vain. They often resort to all kinds of aesthetic
treatments and then end up looking too made up to the
point of not looking human anymore. Jesus says there is
also the evil anxiety of worrying too much about ones
health and lifespan. This includes the phenomena of
people drinking all kinds of supplements, vitamins, herbals
resorting to all kinds of therapies. They chase after the
newest health secret. Underneath their worry about
lifespan is a fear of death.
Jesus prescribes a faith solution to all the above
forms of anxiety.
First, always meditate on the flow of nature and
creation. Realize that God looks after everything in His
Providence. Second, be inspired by natural beauty. Nature,
in its random unpredictable composition, carries with it a
certain artistic balance and harmony. Third, know that
nothing is impossible with God. Fourth, live each day well
with joy and with your best. Dont drink and gulp but
savor each moment. Fifth, do not overextend yourself.
Know your limits. Learn to make a cut-off in your works
and concerns. Tomorrow is in Gods mercy and grace. Fr.
Domie Guzman, SSP

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What things and issues make you

anxious? How does this anxiety affect you? What is the Lord telling
you? Do you fear death? Why?

Calm my fears and anxieties, Lord. Strengthen my faith in Your

sovereignty.