“The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)
Over the past few days, we have spent considerable time reflecting on the problem of “pride” as a thick wall that blocks us from hearing God’s voice. Today, we turn our attention to another major obstacle. It is not a wall, but a loud and persistent inner noise. That obstacle is “worry”.
If pride shuts God out, worry is a distracting static that prevents us from tuning in to God’s frequency. Jesus clearly illustrates this in the Parable of the Sower. He describes the Word of God as a seed, and some seeds fall among thorns.
Jesus explains: “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)
Notice the word “choke.” When we are consumed by anxiety, both physically and spiritually we experience a suffocating pressure. Our minds are racing with hypothetical disasters, worries about our livelihood, and endless “what-ifs.” In such a suffocating mental environment, God’s gentle voice simply cannot enter into our hearts; it is blocked by our worldly anxieties.
Christ deeply understands the weakness of our human nature. That is why, in the Sermon on the Mount, He speaks directly about this problem. He invites us to observe creation: “Look at the birds of the air… Consider the lilies of the field.” (Matthew 6:26, 28) If God feeds the birds and clothes the fragile grass of the field, then surely He will care for us even more: “Will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30) Christ invites us to place a childlike trust in the loving providence of our Heavenly Father.
Our worries often arise from a lack of trust. As Pope St. John Paul II once taught beautifully: “Our age is to a great extent marked by anguish and apprehension, anxieties and fears… Trust is opposed to that which troubles you.”
Likewise, Pope Leo XIV invites us at all times to place everything before the Lord, entrusting ourselves entirely to His Providence.
When we worry, we are essentially trying to control a future that does not yet exist. We project our minds into tomorrow and attempt to solve tomorrow’s problems with today’s limited strength.
But Jesus gives us the perfect mental framework in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11) He does not teach us to pray for a year’s supply of bread. Instead, He teaches us to ask for what we need “today”.
Therefore Jesus tells us: “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34) The Catechism of the Catholic Church echoes this truth, teaching that abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow (CCC 2547).
If your mind is completely occupied with worries about the future, you leave absolutely no room at all to listen to what God is saying to you “today”. God dwells in the “present moment”. His grace is given in the “here and now”.
If we remain trapped in hypothetical fears about tomorrow, we will completely miss the words God is speaking to us today.
So what is the remedy for this inner noise? Jesus tells us: “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) And St. Paul gives us a clear instruction: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Today, let us cast all our burdens upon the Lord, trusting that He will sustain us. Let us pull up the thorns of anxiety from our hearts, so that the soil of our souls may become fertile ground—ready to listen, receive, and bear abundant fruit.
Let us reflect again on the teaching of Jesus:
“The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)
Reflection
What specific “cares of the world” in my life act like thorns, choking and suffocating the Word of God?
How does my worry about hypothetical future situations prevent me from being fully present with God and with others right now?
Jesus calls us to “strive first for the kingdom of God.” What concrete steps can I take today to shift my focus from anxiety toward God’s Kingdom?
Today’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that my heart is often filled with the noise of worry and anxiety. Like thorns, my fears about tomorrow choke Your gentle voice today. Forgive my lack of faith and my failure to trust fully in Your loving providence.
Help me remember the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, and to believe deeply how precious I am in Your sight. Teach me to ask only for my daily bread, trusting that Your grace is sufficient for today.
Lord, I place all my burdens in Your hands. Quiet my anxious thoughts, so that I may seek first Your Kingdom and clearly hear every word You wish to speak to my heart.
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