Living weak

It is good for us to be prudent in our decisions in the earthly realm. Indeed, if we are responsible for the well-being of others, the obligation of prudence is critical.

But as prudent as we must be, the world is a very uncertain place. Moreover, our ultimate strength lies not within ourselves nor does our ultimate happiness exist within this world.

Today’s readings (Matthew 6:24-34 and 2 Corinthians 12:1-10) are classic reminders of these truths:

“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.”

***

(The Lord) 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.