This saying comes nearly at the end of Jesus' teaching on detachment that forms an important part of the Sermon on the Mount. He tells his audience not to be anxious about food and clothes, since God takes care of the birds and the flowers. He reminds them that all the worry in the world cannot add to their growth. If the Almighty provides for the lower animals as well as the plant kingdom, how much more he will care for them! The human, by virtue of the rational mind and therefore the creative potentiality given to him or her, is of greater value to God than any of the non-rational creatures. These live on an instinctive level and do not appear to be impelled by a purpose in life higher than survival and procreation. The current interest in conservation has indeed thrown light on the importance of animals and plants in the maintenance of efficient ecosystems, but the creatures themselves seem blissfully unaware of the contribution which their mere presence makes to the stabilization of the environment.

And so, while God can feed the birds of the air with profligate abandon, and attend to the needs of the humblest flower, we too are upheld by his care and generosity. Without his constant presence our lives would come to a severe halt, as would the life of our planet and indeed the whole universe. Nevertheless, there is an obvious difference between us and even our nearest primate relatives: while they can depend entirely on God's care, we have to play our full part. This is the responsibility that accrues from the mental brilliance of the human and the free will associated with it. The lilies of the field may be more splendidly attired than King Solomon in all his regalia, but we will remain naked if we do not exert ourselves to acquire clothes. Likewise we will starve to death if we remain as passively dependent as the animals around us. Human nature has its price.

Psalm 127.1-2 reminds us of the essential part which God plays in the conduct of such material affairs as building a house or keeping guard over a city; but nevertheless it is we who have to do the work, whether planning, toiling, or keeping watch. If we fall asleep, God will not annul the consequences of our negligence or folly. And so, therefore, how can we humans rely on God's providence when so much responsibility devolves upon us? Can we truly stop being anxious about the future economic situation of our country, upon which the common welfare depends?

The answer is given in Jesus' teaching: give your first priority to God, both in the practice of constant prayer and in the pursuit of the domestic and public virtues. These include honesty, sobriety, chastity and simplicity of lifestyle; they attain their fulfilment in the care of our neighbour that is the foundation of all civilized existence. When our mind is centred on these essential requirements for the good life, we will find that our natural faculties are much sharpened, and more efficient than before. There will be a close alignment of emotions and reason under the directing influence of our intuition, which in turn is closely inspired by the Holy Spirit. Whereas "normally" we squander our psychic (and often physical) energy in emotional turmoil, when we are at one with ourselves under the divine direction our natural powers and gifts are used coherently; so that we can fend far more efficiently for ourselves and work more concertedly for the benefit of those close to us as well as of society generally. And so, indeed, we do not have to worry overmuch about our material situation, because we are able to cope with its demands as a matter of course, now that we are functioning as integrated people. As we serve God in constant awareness, so he fills us increasingly with the good things of life.

Teach me, Lord, so to remember you at every moment of my life that everything I do bears the impress of your love, even when I am so pressed for time that expediency seems the easiest way out of my difficulty. May your light then illuminate my mind, and your love inflame my heart to do what is required of me.