Tony Worner, Leader of Formation for St Agnes Catholic Parish, reads from Matthew’s Gospel (6: 24-34) in which Jesus says, ‘Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are? Can any of you for all your worrying add a single hour to your life?’Tony notes that many of the phrases in this section of the gospel are well known. The message of Jesus is not to be worried about the many things in life. God does not look down on concern for money, clothing and the things we need every day, even telling us to pray for our daily bread. Jesus alerts us to the futility of worry and anxiety which can take our minds and hearts off what is really essential in our lives.  Tony says, as consumers, sometimes we allow my values to be set by others. So, we need to try and take time and review our wants and desires and ask God’s help to be grateful for what we already have and for the things we enjoy.  Jesus shows us that worry undermines faith. So, today, in closing, Tony invites us to bring our worries before God and ask for help to bring them into a truer perspective: God, teach me wisdom; teach me patience; teach me love.