Storing Up Treasures in Heaven

Storing Up Treasures in Heaven In this Homily, Jesus calls His disciples to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. The Homily explains that during biblical times people commonly measured wealth through fine clothing, gold and silver, abundant harvests, honor, and power. Yet all these earthly treasures are temporary. Clothes wear out, food decays, wealth can be stolen, and worldly achievements eventually pass away. Through examples such as the rich man and Lazarus and the parable of the rich fool, Jesus reminds His followers that material possessions cannot provide lasting security or eternal life. The Homily emphasizes that the true treasure of heaven is Jesus Christ Himself. Quoting Saint Louis de Montfort . . . “To have Jesus is to have everything” . . . and Saint Augustine’s teaching to love God above all things and love everything else for God’s sake, the Homily invites us to examine our priorities. What Occupies Our First Thoughts What occupies our first thoughts in the morning and our final thoughts at night? God asks not only for our love, but for our supreme love. When God becomes the highest good in our lives, all other gifts . . . family, friendships, work, talents, and possessions . . . find their proper place. The challenge of Christian discipleship is to make God our greatest treasure so that our hearts remain fixed on Him. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Painting: Sermon on the Mount: Carl Bloch (1834 -1890) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:19-23 First Reading: 2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Why this Image Was Selected: This painting portrays Christ teaching the very principles that form the foundation of the Homily. It captures Jesus instructing His followers about heavenly values, spiritual priorities, and the eternal kingdom.