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Thursday, July 5, 2001

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St. Anthony Zaccaria


Genesis 22:1-19
Psalm 115
Matthew 9:1-8

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the ultimate financial security

"Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, 'On the mountain the Lord will see.' " —Genesis 22:14

God the Father sees to our needs. He cares for us and gives us our daily bread (Mt 6:11). As His children, we don't have to worry about what we are to eat, drink, or wear (Mt 6:31). God our Father is a perfect Provider. Therefore, we have complete financial security.

However, if we aren't aware of the perfect providence of God, we may feel obligated to try to take care of ourselves, as if we were Yahweh-Yireh. Of course, we will not be able to do this satisfactorily. Thus, we will probably be frustrated and insecure.

Jesus came into this world to reveal to us God the Father. Jesus is the only Way to the Father (Jn 14:6). Jesus has made it clear that the providence of God the Father is "concrete and immediate" (Catechism, 303). If we let Him, our Father will provide for all our legitimate needs or do something even greater — for example, take us into the mystery of His Son's suffering and death. We can trust God the Father completely in life, death, after life, and forever. Trust Abba!

Prayer:  Father, by Your grace I will trust You in the areas where I have been most afraid to trust You.

Promise:  "Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven." —Mt 9:2

Praise:  St. Anthony began the devotion of "Forty Hours" of eucharistic adoration.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, January 4, 2001


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 24, 2001