Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 8th Week in Ordinary Time – Sunday – Cycle A – Matt 6:24-34

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Christ again (Matt 5:19-21) calls men to see beyond the world and to seek through faith and holiness the blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ refutes the delusion of a man’s independence, revealing that men must choose to serve the master of the world (i.e. mammon, meaning “trusting in wealth”) or the ultimate Master, God; there is no middle ground, for men are not capable of doing both and must choose.

Christ uses the common worry about having sufficient food, drink and clothing to prove that slavery to the world (mammon) results in unhappiness. He chastises men for their useless worry; even if a man worries about the most important thing (a man’s very life), his worry does not add even a small amount to his lifespan. He points out that birds and grasses are well-cared for by God and, given that men are infinitely more valuable, God knows and will provide for men’s needs.

Christ rebukes men of “little faith” who worry about the necessities of life (e.g. food, drink and clothing), comparing them to faithless pagans. Instead, Jesus challenges men to first seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and to be confident that God knows and will provide for His men’s needs. He urges men not worry about tomorrow, for “Sufficient for a day is its own evil.’

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God,  Christ speaks authoritatively about how the Father engages the world and makes promises on the Father’s behalf.  Son of Man, Christ has a perfect knowledge of the dependence, trials and psychology of men.  Divine Teacher, Christ is the masterful orator whose words are still repeated today (e.g. God/mammon, lilies of the field). Divine King, referring to the Spiritual Combat, Christ reveals that men must choose between God and the world.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) The Divine King warns men that they must give themselves to Him completely and exhorts them to have courageous faith. Consider that Christ is saying this directly to you.

2) Christ’s reveals that men cannot serve both God and mammon. Called the Spiritual Combat, men are servants to the Master Christ the King or are slaves to the master of the mammon/the world, Satan. Reflect on the First Commandment (“You shall love the Lord your God…” CCC 2083-2094) and pray to Christ for the faith to give yourself completely to Him.

3) Christ not only commands men to not be anxious, but He gives men the Our Father to help men grow in their trust in God.  Review the Catechism’s teaching on “Give us today our daily bread” (CCC 2828-2837) and pray the Our Father regularly that Christ might help you trust in Him to provide for your daily needs.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Blessed Trinity

Virtue of the Day – Charity

Corporal Work of Mercy – To feed the hungry

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To admonish the sinner