He said to [his] disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24 Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! 25 Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span? 26 If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. 28 If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? 29 As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. 30 All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. 32 Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. 34 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
Luke continued the theme of depending on God to provide for all one’s needs. Jesus chastised the disciples for their little faith and told them they should not be concerned with what they will eat, or wear, or about their bodies, or even their lives because if God takes care of the flowers and the birds how much more will he take care of them? Ravens were considered unclean birds (Deut. 14:11-14). The disciples are to strive for the Kingdom of God and everything else will be given to them. The kingdom they are to strive for is the community of believers that is led by the Spirit after Pentecost (Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-37). No one was needy in the early communities (Deut. 15:4).
The disciples controlled nothing about their short lives so why should they worry like the Pagans do? God knows their needs so they should not worry about possessions and should not be afraid of those who oppose their teaching because the Father is pleased to support them with the powers of the Kingdom. They should give their belongings to the community and store up treasures in heaven.
Almighty God, grant us the faith to believe that you will provide for all our needs, and the courage to seek your kingdom in spite of all obstacles we may encounter. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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