Faith over fear
2 Chronicles 24:17-25; Psalm 89; Matthew 6:24-34
The first reading presents us with the danger of borrowed faith. While Jehoiada the priest was alive, the people remained faithful to God. But immediately after his death, they abandoned the covenant and turned to idols. When Zechariah called them back to God, they silenced him with violence. Their rejection of God’s messenger eventually led to their downfall. Beloved, our relationship with God cannot depend solely on the influence of a priest, parent, spouse, or friend. Genuine faith must be personal, rooted, and enduring even when spiritual support is no longer present.
In the Gospel, Jesus declares, “No one can serve two masters.” At the heart of many of our struggles is divided loyalty. We often want God’s blessings while clinging to worldly securities. Such divided allegiance breeds anxiety. A double minded man the Bible says is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8).
Jesus therefore urges us: “Do not worry about tomorrow; your heavenly Father knows what you need.” Worry is one of the most common thieves of joy. It drains today’s strength while offering no guarantee about tomorrow. Christ is not asking us to ignore life’s challenges; rather, He invites us to face them with trust. Faith does not eliminate challenges, but it gives us confidence that we never face them alone.
PRAYER
Loving Father, keep us faithful to Your covenant and steadfast in our commitment to You. Free us from divided loyalties and the anxieties that burden our hearts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
