I am a worrier! I worry a lot!
I first became aware of this when I was younger. I worried about everything: taking tests, meeting girls, dating girls, being rejected by girls (which happened more than I care to admit), finding a job, finding a wife, being a good husband and a good father. Today, I worry about whether or not I will be able to keep my job, and having enough time to do all of the things that I want to do.
We worry that the world will pass away. But Jesus’ words will not pass away. Well, what words is Jesus talking about? It’s his words that he spoke throughout his entire ministry, and the words we find throughout Mark’s gospel. Words such as: be made clean, your sins are forgiven, follow me, don’t be afraid, have courage, be opened, and your faith has saved you. These are the words that will never pass away!
When we hear these words, we begin to see the light. We begin to move out of our darkness. We begin to realize that it is not the cares of today but the care of tomorrow that weigh us down. Worrying puts us in a place where life cannot be lived, where love and happiness cannot exist.All of us will have moments in our lives when we think that our world is coming to an end. In these times, we need to trust in the Word of God to bring us back to life. It is our fear that leads us to the one who can help us. It is our fear that leads us to the realization of how much we need God in our lives.
We must cling to the truth that our Lord’s teaching is not a warning about the end of the world, but a lesson on living in it: a lesson about how to live life now! And while we do need to prepare for Jesus’ coming, we should not miss his presence already in our lives: through the people we encounter, our gives and talents that we were meant to share with others, and by receiving his real presence in the Eucharist.
It’s all about making God a part of our daily lives. It is about recognizing that God does not abandon us when our lives are filled with darkness. It is about knowing that even during our weakest moments, when worry brings us down to a new low, God is there to give us a hand.
Jesus’ words should not frighten us, but inspire us – to live each day as a precious gift from God and to live each day knowing that Christ is truly beside us. So don’t worry, be happy!
Whenever you are consumed by worry, just sing this song (to the melody of Don’t Worry, Be Happy):
Here’s a little song I wrote, you might want to sing it note for note.
Don’t worry, be happy.
In every life we have some trouble, when you worry you make it double.
Don’t worry, be happy.
God will strengthen and comfort you, and that’s two reasons not to be blue.
Don’t worry, be happy.
Cause when your world seems to fall apart, God’s right there with his loving heart.
So don’t worry, be happy.
