Verses 25 to 34 of this chapter in Matthew's Gospel considers anxiety about various things and is directed at the disciples, not those on the outside, but rather, those of the inner circle. Matthew has an additional reason for including Jesus' sayings about anxiety for they addressed a problem with the church to which Matthew was writing. These verses are also addressed to us, the post-Resurrection disciples; and I think they are most fitting for our present life at Christ Church in Warrensburg.

Webster's Dictionary defines "anxious" as "disquiet as to something future or unknown. . .accompanied with or causing worry." (2) We appear to be anxious over so many things that I think it clouds our true purpose as members of the Kingdom and our true reflection as Christ to the world today. We become anxious about events that are not even here yet; anxious over who is using space or equipment or goods; anxious because somehow we were not notified about something another group is going; anxious because this is not the way it was or should be done. We have been anxious over money that we had because we were afraid to spend it for growth or programs. We have been anxious because we do not have enough money to pay for things. We have become anxious over who is going to do something and anxious that the right people will not be asked and anxious that we might be the only one doing it.

Anxiety is contagious and when enough people become anxious over many things they begin to form little groups of people with like anxiety. New people pick up on these things very quickly and usually do not stay around long. After all, they have enough anxiety in their lives, why add to it.

In the gospel passage Jesus is reminding his disciples that God looks after all of God's creation. If God adorns flowers with such beauty will God not also adorn us with insight, patience, wisdom, love, and endurance? "Little faith" does not mean that the disciples have no faith, but rather, their faith needs reassurance.

God does provide that reassurance whenever we remember to ask God to strengthen our faith, to reassure us with the presence of the Holy Spirit, and remind us that we are working for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Our God is big enough to take on all our anxiety and fill us with the grace and confidence that all will indeed be well. Will you give your angst to God?

Father Al Jewson

(1) New Revised Standard Edition, Matthew 6:28-30
(2) Websters New College Dictionary, 1960