Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (June 22, 2018): What are your best treasures?

What are the treasures that cannot be destroyed by moths or decay or thieves or anything else in this world, which Jesus speaks of in today’s Gospel reading?

The treasures that are rendered worthless by being perishable are the material goods that we own. None of it is heavenly, no matter how beneficial it is, because we can’t take it with us when we die. It will remain here in this world for the relatives to fight over, if it even lasts that long. So why do we treasure the idea of owning more of this stuff? Why do we feel like we never have enough of it?

Why can’t we be satisfied with what we have and instead long more for heavenly treasures?

How cursed we are without realizing it! We even raise our children to embrace the curse. This was dramatized vividly to me one Sunday before Mass, when I overheard a teenage altar server tell the priest that he wanted to become a criminal lawyer because that’s how he could make the most money.

I said to him, “Ahhh, but money is not the most important thing. Helping people with your skills as a lawyer is far greater.” He looked at me like I came from another planet. Then the second altar server joined in: “If money wasn’t so important, then why are there game shows like ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’?”

Let’s consider the treasures we’ll enjoy when we get to heaven. These are also meant to be enjoyed here on Earth, because the kingdom of God is here, now, thanks to what Jesus did by coming to Earth. List everything that’s already good in your life: the healthy relationships, useful talents, spiritual gifts, special interests, enjoyable ministries, enthusiasm for God, etc. What else?

These you can take to heaven!

Imagine Jesus multiplying them and enhancing and utilizing them to their fullness. There will be no barriers or limitations to these treasures when we join the Communion of Saints in eternity. They’ll just keep going and growing. But it starts now. What treasures does Jesus want to multiply, enhance, and use in your life today? Do you truly appreciate them?

To see them as the treasures that they are, we need good spiritual vision. “If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light,” Jesus says. When we fill our vision with the sort of junk that the world values, we’re blinded by greed and selfishness.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and on all the treasures that God has given you (including the earthly ones) and look for ways that you can use them for his kingdom. Then you will find true contentment!

For a Bible Study on the entire Sermon on the Mount, visitwordbytes.org/bible-study/holy-living-1.

Thank You, Lord, because You correct me when my heart strays from You and pursues the things of this world. Praised be to You, Lord, for Your love that is guiding me and filling me with Your light. Amen.