Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional – Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time – Saturday – Matthew 6:24-34

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus 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.

Jesus uses the common worry about having sufficient food, drink and clothing to prove that slavery to the world (mammon) results in unhappiness. 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 also teaches men not worry about tomorrow, for “Sufficient for a day is its own evil.’

Awed by Jesus Christ – Jesus, the omniscient Son of God, speaks authoritatively about how the Father engages the world and makes promises on the Father’s behalf.  Son of Man, Jesus has a perfect knowledge of the dependence, trials and psychology of men.  Divine Teacher, Jesus 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, He reveals that men must choose between God and the world.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Slowly reflect on the above Awed by Jesus Christ section. What impresses you most about Christ?

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. Pray to Christ for the faith to give yourself completely to Him.

3) Christ reveals that men must first seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Commit to several actions to put God first today and to grow in holiness.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Joyful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Blessed Virgin Mary

Virtue of the Day – Hope