Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Treasures on earth or treasures in heaven: it sounds as though we must choose one or the other. But God made us to desire and even require both types of treasures to exist as human beings. God made us body and soul. The body depends on earthly treasures, like food, shelter, meaningful work, and healthy conditions. The soul depends on spiritual or heavenly treasures, like following one’s conscience, acknowledging a being higher than oneself and loving. By our very nature, we can’t pursue one type of treasure alone; we need both.
This is not to contradict Jesus’ statement, which does not command us to seek only heavenly treasures. Rather, he challenges us to recognize and adjust our motive, our values–our treasure. What is your heart aimed at? Are our activities, our desires, our goals ultimately aimed at getting to heaven, or are we satisfied with the pleasures of earth?
How do we aim our heart and life at heaven? Jesus gives us the way, which is the same way God gave to the people of the Old Testament: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Reflection by Abbot Benedict Neenan, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections