阅读经文 

今天的《路加福音》和昨天的《马太福音》段落很相似。耶稣可能经常会教导听众这一课，甚至当时可能边说还边指着周围飞过的鸟儿。

耶稣敦促祂的听众认识到生命中什么是最重要的。是饮食吗？衣裳吗？家财万贯吗？在世界上的许多地方，人们对享受安全、私密和舒适生活的期望几乎是理所当然的。然而，在灾难过后，财产被毁时，我们经常会听到幸存者说：“如果我们真的需要那些东西，将来还会再有的——我们很高兴现在还能活着。”

耶稣知道执着于物质的生活会导致焦虑。今世很多事物都是暂时的，我们无法控制我们的财物何时以及如何脱离我们的掌握。因此，我们最好与他人、与神连接。耶稣鼓励我们以这样一种方式去生活，即人们看重自身存在和他们的基本需要，优先于对财产和物质的所有权。所以，让我们不要被对财产、饮食或金钱的担忧所控制。

耶稣最后说：“你们这小群，不要惧怕。”祂知道我们很软弱，也知道我们真正需要什么。事实上，祂应许说，神我们的父，乐意把国赐给我们——远远超过我们所求的。

Today's reading from Luke is similar to yesterday's reading from Matthew. Jesus probably taught this lesson often, perhaps even pointing to birds that were nearby at the time.

Jesus urges his listeners to recognize what is most important in life. Is it food? Clothing? Having lots of money and possessions? In many parts of the world, the expectation that people will enjoy a life of security, privacy, and comfort is almost assumed. Yet, after times of disaster, when possessions are destroyed, we'll often hear, "Those were just things that can be replaced if we really need them—we're just glad to be alive."

Jesus knows that a life attached to material things can lead to anxiety. Things are temporary, and we can't always control when or how our possessions will be taken from us. So it's better to attach ourselves to each other and to God. Jesus encourages us to live in such a way that people and their needs have priority over possessions and ownership. So let's not be controlled by worries about possessions or food or money.

Jesus concludes by saying, "Do not be afraid, little flock." He knows that we're vulnerable, and he knows what we need. In fact, he promises that God, our Father, will give us the kingdom—much more than we need.