Jesus said, "If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?' All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.  Sufficient for a day is its own evil."   

"This time I wonder what it feels like to find the one in this life, the one we all dream of, but dreams just aren’t enough, so I’ll be waiting for the real thing, 'cause nobody wants to be the last one there, 'cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares, someone to love with my life in their hands—there’s gotta be somebody for me like that 'cause nobody wants to do it on their own, and everyone wants to know they’re not alone. There’s somebody else that feels the same somewhere—there’s gotta be somebody for me out there."

Nickelback's song "Gotta Be Somebody" is a statement of fact, and a statement of hope. The person in the song has not found the somebody who will be a future partner yet, but he feels strongly that such a person exists, and it seems that he will extend the energy it takes to find that somebody.

All of us want someone to care for us. It is a psychological desire that everyone of us feels because we all want to be loved in some way. Most of the love songs that are written today make use of such a fact. Nickelback's song "Gotta Be Somebody" is speaking of a romantic caring, but expresses the general principle as well: "Everyone wants to feel like someone cares."  Our human natures cry for someone to care for us.

Jesus knew the psychology of our need to have someone who cares. During the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel, as he reflected on what human beings should do and should not do, he addressed the need. Referring to the beauty of nature, he tells his followers that our heavenly Father will care for each of us in the same way that God cares for nature. We need not worry, Jesus tells us, since our heavenly Father truly cares for us.

There are two profound truths here. One is that God will provide for us as we seek partners in life. Our heavenly Father understands the intense desire for romantic love that Nickelback sings of: "There's gotta be somebody for me out there." But God's care for us goes beyond the romantic part of our lives. God knows everything that we need, and "all these things" will be given to us, Jesus says.

The second truth is a commandment. We must be people who care. In fact, the way God cares for the world will be primarily through us. We are called to bring care to everyone's lives. The Lord gives indication of such a call during the Sermon: "Seek first the kingdom of God and all it righteousness," he tells us. God cares for our world and us, and seeking God's kingdom implies that we will give to others the care they deserve.                   

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we need someone to care for us, and we believe your Son who tells us that you care for us. May we always be thankful for your care, and may we bring ourselves to care for others at the same time. Be with us, we pray. 

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America