Empower Your Faith / Friday of Week 11; Matthew 6:19 – 23

June 23, 2023

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.”

Reflection

Today, Jesus invites us to reflect on the nature of our treasures and the disposition of our hearts. He reminds us that true wealth is not found in accumulating material possessions or seeking earthly treasures that fade away. Instead, our true treasure lies in storing up riches in heaven, where neither moth nor decay can destroy, and where the true essence of our being finds its fulfillment.

Imagine for a moment a traveler who embarks on a journey to a distant land. Along the way, this traveler encounters various temptations and distractions that promise quick satisfaction and temporary joy. They are enticed by the allure of worldly treasures, adorned with glittering jewels and surrounded by the trappings of success. These treasures, however, are fleeting, vulnerable to the ravages of time and prone to decay.

In this passage, Jesus urges us to shift our focus from earthly treasures to heavenly treasures. He asks us to examine the disposition of our hearts and the true source of our happiness and fulfillment. For where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. It is a call to prioritize the eternal over the temporal, to seek lasting treasures that transcend the passing pleasures of this world.

But what are these heavenly treasures that Jesus speaks of? They are the virtues that adorn our souls – the treasures of love, compassion, forgiveness, humility, and generosity. These treasures are not subject to decay or loss. They are investments in our eternal well-being, reflecting the very nature of God Himself.

In the pursuit of earthly treasures, our vision can become clouded, and our hearts can be led astray. Jesus uses the metaphor of the lamp and the eye to illustrate this truth. Just as the eye is the lamp of the body, guiding our path and illuminating our surroundings, so too our spiritual sight determines the state of our being. If our eyes are fixed on heavenly treasures, our entire being is filled with light. But if our gaze is fixed on the transitory and superficial, darkness engulfs us, and our true purpose becomes obscured.

Today, let us reflect on the treasures we have been storing up. Are we investing in the eternal or the ephemeral? Are we seeking fulfillment in material possessions and worldly acclaim, or are we nurturing the virtues that lead us closer to God? Let us examine the disposition of our hearts and redirect our focus towards the treasures that truly matter.

As we journey through life, may we become wise stewards of our time, talents, and resources, using them to build up the Kingdom of God and to sow seeds of love, compassion, and mercy. May our hearts be fixed on heavenly treasures, where true fulfillment and lasting joy are found.

Let us pray that our eyes may be opened to the beauty of God’s kingdom and the priceless treasures that await us. May we choose wisely, storing up treasures that endure for eternity, and may the light of Christ guide our every step. Amen.