In the world, especially in business, there’s an old expression: Never expose your weakness. I think that’s why so many men don’t cry. They view it as a sign of weakness. In our first reading today, St. Paul turns that notion on its head. He says, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” Imagine it! Not only showing weakness, but boasting of it! And why would we boast of our weakness? Because in our weakness, God’s strength can shine through. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 6, Jesus talks about storing up treasure in heaven.
“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” There’s an old saying…If you look at a person’s checkbook, you’ll see where their heart is. While that may be true, trust me when I tell you that my heart is not with electric company, the gas station or the many other places that get my money each month. But it is a good thing to evaluate our finances every now and again and see if we are doing God’s work with our treasure.
“But store up treasures in heaven.” What does this really mean? I think it goes WAY beyond money. I believe that each time we do an act of kindness for another, we store up treasure in heaven. Every time we put aside our own selfish desires and put someone before ourselves, we store up treasures in heaven. They say there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a pot of gold waiting for you upon your entrance into the pearly gates? Well, there can be! But the work starts now!
Father, show us how we can store up treasures in heaven. Help us to lose our materialism, and concentrate on serving others. Amen.
0 comments