Introit: Ps. 86:4, 6, 15a, 16; antiphon: Ps. 86:1a, 2b, 3

Gradual: Ps. 118:8-9

Old Testament: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Psalm 146 (antiphon: v. 9a)

Epistle: Gal. 5:25-6:10

ProperVerse: Ps. 95:1

Gospel: Matt. 6:24-34

Anxious Bondage vs. Confident Trust

"You cannot serve God and money" (Matt. 6:24_34), for they require two contrary forms of service. Worry is the worship given to the false god of mammon, an unbelieving anxiousness and focus on the things of this world. Faith is the worship of the true God, a confident trust that He is a loving Father who will care for all of our needs in both body and soul. The widow of Zarephath served God„ that is, she believed the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah that the bin of flour would not be used up nor would the jar of oil run dry (1 Kings 17:8_16). He who feeds the birds and clothes the flowers will certainly provide for our daily needs. For He has already provided for our eternal needs, clothing us with Christ's righteousness in Baptism and feeding us His body and blood for our forgiveness. With such confidence we are liberated from worry and freed to do good with our material resources, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 5:25_6:10).