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“So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to
drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek.
Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first
the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will
be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will
take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.” Matthew
6:31–34
In the fifth century, Saint Augustine wrote The City of God,
one of the most important works in Catholic thought and Western
philosophy. In it, he contrasted the Christian “City of God” with
the pagan “City of Man,” responding to those who blamed
Christianity for the decline of the Roman Empire. He writes: “Thus,
two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly city by a
love of self to the point of contempt for God, and the heavenly
city by a love of God to the point of contempt for self. The former
glories in itself, while the latter glories in the Lord.”
(XIV.28)
At the time, the once-mighty Roman Empire was in steady decline,
and many falsely attributed its downfall to the rise of
Christianity. Augustine, however, defended the faith, offering a
profound theological and philosophical exposition of history,
divine providence, and the ultimate destiny of humanity. By
contrasting these two fundamental orientations of civilization—the
City of Man, built on self-love and earthly glory, and the
City of God, founded on divine love and eternal
truth—Augustine illuminated the true path to human flourishing and
salvation.
Augustine’s words echo Christ’s teaching in today’s Gospel,
offering clarity and encouragement to the faithful of his time who
labored to build up the growing Catholic Church. Today, his
insights remain just as relevant, guiding the Church amid a world
increasingly consumed by materialism and secular values.
Which “city” is more attractive to you? If we are to truly build
the City of God—or the Kingdom of God, as Jesus calls it—we must
remain vigilant against the many secular influences that pull us
away from the Gospel and the work of building God’s Kingdom.
As Jesus teaches, the pagans seek and worry about the things of
this world, often at the expense of what is eternal. Yet our
Heavenly Father knows our needs, and so we must cultivate an
interior disposition of trust in His providence. While we are
called to act responsibly, providing diligently for ourselves and
our families, we must ultimately recognize that it is God who
sustains us when we cooperate with His will. We must do so without
fear.
Jesus does not condemn responsible stewardship of material goods;
rather, He warns against worldly anxiety. As a fundamental
disposition, we must always “seek first the Kingdom of God and his
righteousness.” When we do so, “all these things will be given you
besides.” In other words, if our greatest love is to build God’s
Kingdom in our hearts, our families, and our society, we can trust
that He will provide for our needs, freeing us to focus entirely on
His divine work.
Jesus concludes today’s Gospel with consoling words: “Do not worry
about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a
day is its own evil.” This is not a license for imprudence or
irresponsibility, as if we are called to live a carefree life
without foresight. Rather, it is an invitation to trust in divine
providence, living in confidence that when our primary concern is
God and His will each day, He will provide for our needs in due
measure.
Reflect today on whether you truly “seek first the Kingdom of God
and his righteousness.” The best way to discern this is to
prayerfully examine the deepest desires of your heart. When your
desire is for God’s Kingdom, you will experience peace and interior
order. When your heart clings to worldly concerns, you will be
anxious and burdened by many things. Strive to order your desires
properly, and God will lavish upon you all that is good and
necessary for a joyful participation in the glorious and eternal
City of God.
Most glorious King, You came to establish Your Kingdom in our
hearts, our families, and our world. Too often, I fail to recognize
its glory and instead labor to build an earthly city of passing
pleasure, wealth, and comfort. Draw me ever closer to You, Lord,
and open my eyes of faith, that I may seek only Your will and
become a true instrument of the Kingdom You desire to establish.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount, by August Müller
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