WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:04.160 There's a tragedy in today's first reading that's easy to miss. 00:00:04.480 --> 00:00:06.080 Joash begins well. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:08.320 In fact, he begins very well. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:12.640 As a child, his life is saved by the courage of others. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:14.800 He is protected in the temple. 00:00:15.039 --> 00:00:16.719 He's guided by the priest. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:21.199 He's placed upon the throne and he restores proper worship. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:24.239 For a time he appears to be a faithful king. 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:28.800 But then Jehohida dies, and everything changes. 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:31.679 The prince of Judah comes to him. 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:36.799 They flatter him, they influence him, they lead him away from the Lord. 00:00:37.039 --> 00:00:40.880 And the man who once stood for God gradually abandons God. 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:42.320 What happened? 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:44.960 Well, the answer is found in today's gospel. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:48.640 Jesus says no one can serve two masters. 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:51.359 Notice he doesn't say it's difficult. 00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:53.359 He says it's impossible. 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:55.600 Not difficult, impossible. 00:00:55.840 --> 00:00:59.039 Every human heart eventually chooses a master. 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:01.200 Everyone serves something. 00:01:01.439 --> 00:01:08.959 Some serve God, others serve money, others serve power, approval, comfort, others serve themselves. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:11.680 But everyone serves something. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:18.319 The tragedy of Joash is that he appeared to be serving God while Johada was alive. 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:24.719 But after Jehoidah died, it became clear that his deepest loyalty was somewhere else. 00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:27.519 His faith was not rooted deeply enough. 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:30.959 It was dependent upon another person's influence. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:34.879 And the moment that influence disappeared, he drifted. 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:37.040 There's a lesson there for us. 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:40.560 At some point in life, borrowed faith is not enough. 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:43.599 You cannot live forever on your parents' faith. 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:48.000 Can't live forever on your spouse's faith, on your pastor's faith. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:52.560 You can't live forever on the faith of a friend, a mentor, or even a spiritual director. 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:56.959 Eventually the question becomes, is God truly your God? 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:02.159 Not your family's God, not your community's God, not your pastor's God, your God. 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:09.280 Because there comes a moment when every disciple must stand on his own feet before the Lord. 00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:12.479 That's what Joash failed to do. 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:15.759 And notice how quickly compromise follows. 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:28.240 First comes a small accommodation, then a little compromise, then idolatry, then the rejection of God's prophets, and then the murder of Zechariah. 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:35.919 The same king who had been saved in the temple eventually sheds innocent blood in the temple. 00:02:36.400 --> 00:02:38.080 That's how sin works. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:42.639 Nobody wakes up one morning and decides to destroy their spiritual life. 00:02:42.879 --> 00:02:52.879 It happens one compromise at a time, one neglected prayer at a time, one rationalization at a time, one act of disobedience at a time. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:58.240 Stepping away from God eventually becomes a thousand steps away from God. 00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:02.080 That is why Jesus' words in the gospel are so important. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:04.879 Seek first the kingdom of God. 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:11.360 Not second, not after everything else, not when there is time left over first. 00:03:12.479 --> 00:03:16.719 Because whatever is first in your life eventually shapes everything else. 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:21.120 Because you see, if God is first, money finds its proper place. 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:24.800 If God is first, success finds its proper place. 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:29.039 If God is first, relationships find their proper place. 00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:33.280 If God is first, suffering finds its proper place. 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:38.719 But if God is not first, everything else becomes disordered. 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:41.840 And that brings us to the second half of the gospel. 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:44.400 Jesus speaks about worry. 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:47.360 Most people think there are two separate teachings. 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:50.000 First serving God, then worrying. 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:52.080 But they're actually connected. 00:03:52.400 --> 00:03:53.840 Why do we worry? 00:03:54.080 --> 00:03:56.560 Well, because we're afraid we're not in control. 00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:58.479 There's that word again. 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:00.560 Why do we become anxious? 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:05.840 Well, because we're trying to secure the future ourselves, control the narrative. 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:08.080 Why do we obsess over tomorrow? 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:12.000 Well, because we've forgotten who holds tomorrow. 00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:16.240 At its deepest level, worry is often a trust problem. 00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:20.319 Jesus is not saying that Christians should be irresponsible. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:22.720 He's not saying bills do not exist. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:26.000 He's not saying problems are imaginary. 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:29.759 He's saying that anxiety should never become our master. 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:33.839 Because if God is truly Father, then we are not alone. 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:36.879 Look at the birds, look at the flowers, at creation. 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:39.759 Everything in creation depends upon God. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:43.680 And yet somehow we think we are the one exception. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:49.759 We believe God can govern the universe, but may not be so able to handle our situation. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:57.360 To that Jesus says, O you of little faith, not as a condemnation, as an invitation. 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:07.759 Trust me, trust my Father, trust that you are not forgotten, trust that your life is not an accident, trust that your future is in his hands. 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:12.160 I think that's the greatest contrast between Joash and the saints. 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:17.279 Joash gradually trusted God less and trusted himself more. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:21.279 The saints trusted themselves less and God more. 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:24.560 Joash sought security apart from God. 00:05:24.959 --> 00:05:28.480 The saints all sought God and found security in him. 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:32.639 Joash lost everything because God ceased to be first. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:37.279 The saints have gained everything because God remained first always. 00:05:37.680 --> 00:05:41.839 So perhaps a question for us this Saturday is simple. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:44.800 What is truly first in your life? 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:49.120 Because whatever sits on the throne of your heart is your master. 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:54.480 And Jesus remains there only one thing among the many. 00:05:55.439 --> 00:06:02.560 But he reminds us seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:05.600 That's not merely good advice. 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:07.519 That's the secret of every saint. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:09.920 That's how we're called to live. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:10.800 Amen.