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FREEDOM FROM ANXIETY

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today's second reading, St. Paul expresses the wish that his readers be "free from anxieties." Imagine a day free from worry, concern and care! Can you recall such a day in your life? Perhaps a worry-free day is wishful thinking in today's world, but certainly it is a worthy goal.

In my opinion, Paul confuses his message by drawing a distinction between the anxious thoughts of the unmarried person and the married person. His theory is that the married person is concerned about worldly things and the happiness of the spouse and family, as opposed to the unmarried person who is concerned about the things of the Lord. As an unmarried person, I can attest to anxiety about both worldly matters AND about the service of God. From my observation of married friends, I know that they also worry about both realms.

Our goal should be to be free of ALL anxieties, even those related to the service of God. Our anxieties and concerns, even about doing the best we can in the service of God, can display a lack of confidence in God's love and care for us. Sometimes we need to take a moment to relax and remember that God loves us and is in charge – and to be confident that all shall be well, with God's help.

Whatever our focus, whether providing for our families or serving God and neighbor, we should remain in the knowledge that God's love is more powerful than anxiety. We need remember to ask God to take away our anxiety and graciously replace it with the warmth of God's love.

Patricia Crowley
Director of Liturgy