“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Jesus lays down principles even for the mundane matters of our daily life. These are common worries, worries about the future, about food, about finances, about health, about yourself and your family, worries about your house, etc. Jesus gives a simple instruction that we should not worry about tomorrow, because each day has enough trouble of its own. So we should focus on the day that is given to us and live it according to the will of God. Jesus says, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” In another place, Jesus says that we should watch because we do not know when death will come. Death will relieve us of all worries. Scripture tells us to redeem the time. Worries rob us of peace. If we are overwhelmed by worries, we need to set proper priorities and distinguish what needs to be done first in a given situation, and then do it, and put aside what is not so relevant or even what is unnecessary. How many times we put all our worries on the same plane, and then we are nervous because we do what is unnecessary, while putting off what is urgent, and the result is tension. One then reacts with anger towards the other, the other does not even know why he is scolded, and it does more harm than good. Therefore we need to think of the worries that lie ahead of us this day and calmly consider what can and cannot be done. Then we need to choose what to do first, which mostly requires self-denial, because we are automatically inclined to do what pleases us, and we postpone the unpleasant things that are often top priority. In addition, if we are Christians we should look at our earthly concerns from God’s point of view and give them to God in the morning prayer, along with the problems they entail. At the same time, we can ask for light, strength and wisdom to solve them correctly. At the start of the day, we can offer up to God the inconveniences attached to the fulfilment of daily duties and obligations, and when we come to a dead end and find ourselves in a hopeless situation, we can briefly ask again for light and patience and give the whole problem to God. Then we do what we see that can be done in that matter, or leave the problem open, or seek advice from someone experienced. Living the day wisely requires life wisdom that draws upon life experiences, i.e. our past mistakes, and looks at worries from God’s point of view.

Focusing on the future and trying to solve tomorrow or the more distant future and therefore not putting effort into making the most of today is the wrong way. Thus, in a given situation, we do not do what we are supposed to do, i.e. what is God’s will for us, but we waste mental energy on worrying that robs us of peace. All our activities will come to an end one day. And when the last day of our life comes, we will have to give an account of our whole life before God. And so ask yourself: Where was Jesus today? He was here, He is with us always, but where were you? True wisdom is to unite our cross, our problem, to the cross of Christ and offer it to God as a living and holy sacrifice, even in the smallest matters. This is what holiness is about and this is also the essence of redeeming the time.

Download: Reflection on Mt 6:34