Gospel MT 6:19-23
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:
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.”
What do we consider of value in our life? From what do we take our sense of security and well being?
Jesus is calling us to the realization that the old saying is really true: “You cannot buy happiness.”
Regardless of how much “treasure” one accumulates, money cannot guarantee happiness or more time on earth.
So, if we cannot “buy” happiness or more time, how do we go about getting them?
We attain happiness and quality time on earth by giving of ourselves to make life better for others.
True joy comes from giving, not from receiving.
“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.”
The “eye” that Jesus speaks of is the heart and mind.
If our heart and mind are pure, filled with generosity and love of our fellow man, then we will truly be “light of heart.”
But, if our heart and mind are filled with selfishness, self-gratification and bitterness toward others, then surely our whole self will be “in darkness.”
“Happiness is a by-product of helping others. No man ever finds happiness by thinking of himself. True happiness comes when we lose ourselves in the service of others – when we are merciful to our fellowman.” – – Royden G. Derrick