The carefreeness of God’s children

No one can serve two masters. ▪ Children like fairy tales. It is said that their enjoyment stems from not yet knowing the world. In reality, children observe very keenly what is happening around them. They also begin to perceive a distinction between good and evil in the world. They instinctively feel that the two do not mix, that the good and evil beings fight each other, and therefore they must side with the good. Whoever sews, knowing that he must not mix his life in such a way that he constantly contradicts himself, will preserve his youth and vitality. Unfortunately, many people resemble the sick who, according to St. John Climacus, alternately drip corylium, a soothing medicine, into their sick eyes, and then immediately pour burning acid. However, the Gospel emphasizes another circumstance. It does not speak only of the use of two contradictory medicines but of serving two masters. In the world, Christ encounters not only “opinions” that differ from Christianity but also the stubborn resistance of the enemy, the spirit of the world, and malice. That is why spiritual life is presented as a constant struggle. We must know the enemy’s positions and methods so we do not switch sides out of ignorance. The so-called discernment of spirits is the art of correctly recognizing and choosing what is beneficial for eternal life.

You cannot serve God and mammon ▪ The ancient foreign word “mammon” has also entered our vocabulary. It means money and property, but in a derogatory sense. What is the negative side of money, which everyone must ultimately earn in some way? Moralists apply a general principle here that recommends the way to use all things in the world: we should use them in moderation, no more and no less than we need. The principle is undoubtedly correct. But it is impersonal and general. That is why the Gospel places more emphasis on the personal attitude. Mammon is money that we serve, rather than money that serves us. It is, therefore, idolatry, and it is in direct contradiction to the service of the one God. From the psychological point of view, there is a certain mystery here. Even stubborn, unyielding people who refuse to listen to anyone easily put themselves in the service of mammon and subordinate their whole lives to its interests. They work until night to multiply money they consider untouchable and never use. How difficult must the one who refuses to serve God be?

Look at the birds of the air▪ In Czech, we have two expressions that are similar but have different shades: care and worry. We take care of what pleases us, what is, as they say, our “hobby,” with profound joy. Worry, on the other hand, is care, but with concern and tension. It harms health, weakens nerves, and makes work a sad affair. However, God wants us to take care of ourselves and everything important without anxiety, so that it remains worry-free. In theatrical comedies, we like to laugh at the antics of carefree friends who get everything right. It’s only in the theater; it’s a comedy. However, with trust in God’s providence, carefreeness becomes a reality and is connected with caring for what pleases us. Blessed Nicholas Stensen, a Danish convert and bishop (+1686), composed this prayer for himself: “Without your will, not a hair falls from the head, not a leaf falls from the tree, not a bird from the sky, not a thought comes to the mind, not a voice to the tongue, not a hand moves. You have led me along unknown paths until now; continue to lead me along the path of your grace, whether I see it or not.”