Robin Williams was quite the comic genius in the popular movie Mrs. Doubtfire. Upset at losing his kids in a custody battle he became their caregiver by donning an elaborate costume becoming transformed into Mrs. Doubtfire. And the cleverly concocted ruse worked, until Williams had to serve two masters. In one hysterical scene Williams had to juggle between Mrs. Doubtfire and his male character in a public restaurant. On one side, he was out for a nice meal with the entire family; the other side interviewing for a prestigious job with his TV station. He must have changed clothes and make-up a half dozen times as he went to and fro trying to keep all happy; and in the dark. He was eventually found out, to the shock of all involved.
Sometimes we serve two masters. We load up our calendar with to do lists a mile long. Even our children today need a schedule to keep up with everything they do. We try to please everyone, we struggle to say no and we run, run, run adding stress and anxiety to our lives.
As people of faith, do we serve two many masters? Do we serve the Master? Are we full of stress and anxiety and do we allow our soul to rest in God?
Matthew’s Gospel today challenges us to serve God and dismiss all of our unnecessary worry and anxiety. Jesus uses beautiful imagery of the birds and the flowers, even mentioning Solomon, to emphasize that God alone is in control. Since God made us in His image and likeness, and sent His Son as a man among us to save us, if he protects the birds and the flowers, how much more will He care for us. And still we worry.
Worry and anxiety is a cottage industry today. Our never ending 24 hour news cycle, the insatiable appetite for bigger, better, faster, the buy it first pay later mentality, and the millions of talking heads that confuse and confound us work together to diminish God, our desire to serve Him and serve one another. We know, deep within, that God cannot be diminished. But we should ask ourselves what prevents me from serving Him and my brother, sister, neighbor? Jesus calms our worry and anxiety as He clearly tells us: Do not worry, our heavenly Father knows all that we need and we are called to seek first the kingdom of God.
The fears and concerns addressed in this Gospel may not be exactly the same fears and concerns we experience today. This does not matter. Whatever they may be, how personal our own worries are, Jesus clearly says do not worry. In our 1st reading today the prophet Isaiah makes it clear: God will never forget us.
But let’s return to the beginning of this Gospel where Jesus tells us not to serve God and mammon. What is mammon? Simply, this is the Aramaic word for wealth. Not the type of wealth that comes from hard and honest labor. Jesus is referring to the unhealthy obsession and greed that can be associated with wealth. This often results in placing God and our fellow man down our list of priorities. In whatever we do, Jesus challenges us to serve God first and foremost in our lives.
What can we do in the week ahead to answer the challenge presented in today’s Gospel? First, we can ask in prayer for God to make known His will for us. What are we being called to do? Who are we being called to serve? Once we reflect on these questions, we can further discern what are the things I cling to that may prevent me from serving God and serving others. Using a system similar to an examination of conscience, name this mammon in our present day lives. Write them down. Name them and claim them and then let them go. Free your time and talent for God and our fellow man!
Mrs. Doubt fire eventually failed at trying to serve two masters by deceit and dishonesty. Fortunately for all involved, things worked out and Robin Williams did get that job and generous visitation with his kids. But first, he had to serve just one master; to have one ultimate goal.
For us, our challenge is not the comic escapades of Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire. We can, we must accept Jesus’ words in this Gospel and pledge our lives in service to God and our fellow man. And then we can say goodbye to worry and anxiety.
And in God alone, my soul is at rest!
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