Matthew 6:22-33
"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (KJV)
The kingdom of God and His righteousness are established goals in the present Gospel. Everything a Christian thinks or does are to be weighed against these goals.
Every moment of every day, individuals make decisions about the goals and direction of personal life. Following Christ is completely voluntary. Heeding Christ’s teachings is completely voluntary.
When a person is baptized, the commitment is made to follow Christ for the remainder of personal life. Christ’s teachings are to be held in the highest regard. Every thought and effort is to honor Christ and His teachings.
Too often individuals yield to interests and desires that have nothing to do with the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Too often decisions are made that take the person far afield from the kingdom of God.
The love of God is known in the present Gospel. The care for each person is revealed in the Gospel. Giving God the primary focus in the life and having God’s kingdom as the primary goal keeps all other aspects of life in proper perspective.
Living in the contemporary world can be quite confusing. There are many diverse choices available. Many individuals despair in life over the range of choices that exist.
Readers of the Holy Prophet Jeremiah find these wise words: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”
(Jer. 6:16)
Individuals are barraged by information in today’s world. The Holy Gospel stands alone in lasting value. The Holy Gospel shines the light of Christ and proclaims Christ’s teachings.
Men and women choose the foundations for building their lives. Christ is the soundest foundation for life and the premier goal for life. Adherents to the life in Christ are never disappointed.
The present Gospel indicates if the kingdom of God and His righteousness are life’s priorities, life’s daily needs will be met. Focusing on Christ alleviates anxiety and stress.
Reading the Holy Gospel and practicing the Jesus Prayer are ways to keep the focus on Christ. Faithful believers regularly attend and savor the content of the Divine services of the Church.
Growth in Christ occurs as a person seeks the kingdom of God and His righteous. Constant effort is necessary to ward off temptations and reject alternative paths.
The path to the kingdom of God is revealed when the person is attentive to Christ. Christ’s words and known way of life direct the serious believer. The believer does well to use his or her eyes to see Christ light the way to the kingdom.
Serious believers find sufficient nourishment for the soul when the kingdom of God and His righteous are the priorities of life. Serious believers experience peace, love and joy in following Christ.
The winds of war and gloomy news do not overshadow the message of hope emanating from the Risen Christ. The light of Christ illumines life in the present and for the future.
Individuals loving Christ do their best to follow Christ’s teachings. Lovers of Christ do not want to be alienated from Christ. When personal sin is recognized, faithful believers repent and confess their sins.
Repentance and confession return the believer to the path to the kingdom of God. Partaking of the Precious Body and Blood of Christ unites the person with Christ and strengthens the relationship with Christ.
Greed and the excessive accumulation of material wealth abound in the present world. Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness are the priorities known in God’s Holy Church.
