Anxiety and Smoke Detectors: Homily for Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Anxiety and Smoke Detectors. Same sound. Two completely different situations. One serious. One not at all serious. The same is true in life. When we place ourselves in the hands of the Holy Spirit our view of the future is quite different. Readings for Today.

Anxiety and Smoke Detectors

So, I want to talk about anxiety. And I was given one time in my life a great image about anxiety that’s going to help us to unpack a little bit what’s going on in the readings today. The image was that anxiety is like a smoke detector.

When a smoke detector goes off, you don’t know if it’s going off because toast is burning in the toaster or the house is on fire. It makes the same sound regardless. And anxiety can be like that too. Anxiety can feel like the world is coming to an end or that such horrible things await that we might not be able to get through it.

But the reality is that when we feel anxious, it’s always about something that hasn’t yet happened and more importantly, might never happen. And I mention that because Paul in the first reading has constantly been warned that something not so pleasant awaits him.

And we know that sometimes when we’re anxious, it can paralyze us. We can say, “Oh my gosh, I can’t do anything. I’m so afraid of what I imagine the negative thing will be that happens.” But Paul knows something very important. His anxiety is not coming from himself. In fact, he doesn’t focus on anxiety as the most important thing. He focuses on the Spirit.

And because the Spirit is leading him in his ministry, he knows that while it will be difficult and while human emotions about being afraid maybe of the future are real, he needs to trust in God. And in a way, Jesus is making the same appeal in today’s Gospel. This 17th chapter of John is part of a passage that’s kind of near and dear to us as Dominicans. We read it during Holy Week.

This is Jesus getting ready for his suffering and death. But he’s reminding his followers, especially the disciples, that everything that he has been preparing for, his hour, is finally upon him. We know this is no small thing for Jesus because on the evening before his crucifixion, he prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. And he’s quite anxious. I’m told it’s possible to be so anxious that you can sweat blood.

But Jesus knows who he is. He knows he was sent by the Father. And he knows he’s going back to the Father because the two of them, three of them, if you add the Holy Spirit, are one. Now that comes to us today. Why is it that we can be assured that things will work out for the best if we follow God?

Because of our baptism. You know, sometimes I hear people say that they just hope to kind of sneak into heaven or just barely make it. That’s not the hope of our baptism. We are beloved sons and daughters of God. God has high hopes for us. And the goal is that ultimately we will know God as he is.

Today, St. Paul says, we see dimly as in a mirror. But when the kingdom of God is fully realized, we will see God as he is. What makes you anxious today? Maybe it’s the upcoming exams. When I was a student, I used to imagine, or I used to figure out what my grade would be if I got a zero on the exam. And if I was going to pass, it kind of calmed me down. Because I said, well, I’m not going to get a zero. You’re not going to get a zero.

Maybe it’s that you struggle with a particular relationship. And that’s causing you anxiety. Maybe you’re worried about what you’re supposed to do with your life. Don’t worry about that so much. That’ll work itself out. But whatever it is, follow the words of St. Paul and cast your anxieties on the Lord. Because when we trust in the Lord, everything works out for good.

On the friar, you can listen to our homilies (based on the readings of the day) and reflections. You can also ask us to pray for you or to pray for others. You can subscribe to our website to be informed whenever we publish an update.

About Author