The WORD today reminds me of the importance of storing heavenly treasures.
Being a guy, I believe that financial stability is important. Being the eldest and only guy just makes really important. And as a husband now, the pressure for financial stability increases.
It is easy to be lost in the world as you search of financial stability. The intention may be good – to be able to help out in the family more, to be able to help the less fortunate more, to be able to provide for the future family, etc. However, sometimes we make financial stability the end goal and not one of the means to the goal. Sometimes in our desire to help out more, we become too focused on work and financial stability that we lose touch with the very people that we want to help.
We should put things in perspective, and work for heavenly treasures, not earthly ones.
In the gospel, Jesus reminded his disciples not to store up earthly treasures, and instead, work on having heavenly treasures. Earthly treasures will not last. Money can be stolen, fame can easily be gone in a second, and properties can easily be burned and will eventually decay. Nothing is permanent in this world. Nothing will last, and we cannot bring anything when we die. That is reality, and that is something we should always remember. What is permanent is heavenly treasure – faith, prayer, sacrifices and good works done for God. These are the things that nothing can take away, and these are the things that build up our heavenly treasure – treasure that will be useful when we get out of this world.
In the first reading, we see that Paul did this. He did not work hard to collect earthly, temporary treasures. Instead, he worked on having heavenly treasures. He worked very hard for God. He proclaimed God’s kingdom. He knew these would have heavenly rewards. He built up his heavenly treasures.
God wants us to focus on Him, God wants us to store heavenly treasure while we are on earth. That’s true wealth, something that we will be using for eternity. God wants our hearts as we live life on earth. God wants us to focus our eyes on Him, and prepare for eternity with Him.
We are still in a pandemic. Most of the government’s response is frustrating. Infuriating even. We still see a lot of corruption and incompetence. We see evil deeds, lies and deception. However, this is where we should serve and help more. God blessed us so we can bless others. And we should, especially now.
What is important to me? Am I too focused on worldly wealth that I tend to reject preparing for and accumulating heavenly wealth? What is God telling me today?
May we live each day knowing that everything in this world is temporary, and that we should prepare for eternity with God.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another weekend coming up. Thank you for reminding me today what is important. Thank you for warning me. Lord, help me always remember this and put things in perspective as I live my life. Help me work for heavenly treasures, and not earthly ones. May I see earthly wealth as one of the means to further your kingdom on earth and not my goal in life. May I always be detached from material things as I work and prepare for eternity. And may I actively do good, pray and offer things to you as I store up heavenly riches. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
June 18, 2021
Friday of Week 11; St. Gregory Barbarigo
FIRST READING
Brothers and sisters:
Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. To my shame I say that we were too weak!
But what anyone dares to boast of (I am speaking in foolishness) I also dare. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they children of Israel? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person). I am still more, with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death. Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep; on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure. And apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led to sin, and I am not indignant?
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (see 18b) From all their distress God rescues the just.
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”
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