A reading from the Gospel of Matthew:
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.”
(Matthew 6: 19-23)
Reflection
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
Where was my heart today? Was it putting God first? Was it looking for the best in people? Was it responding with kindness and mercy? Or was I agitated by the flaws of others? Was I quick to anger and slow to understand?
Treasures on earth lie not just in material possessions but also in the desire for adulation and seeking out earthly honor. Everyone wants to be liked and seen in a good light, but how often do we see our inability to bear wrongs, to suffer in misunderstandings or to be patient with others as the Good Light of God shining on the places in our hearts that are in need of the most cleaning?
It is in these moments where we are agitated that should be a sign to us that there is something not quite right in our own hearts rather than in those who triggered our agitation, for the presence of God is always peace. So, what else is it that is present in my heart if I do not have peace?
Rather than focusing on how we have been wronged, misunderstood or hurt, if we observe the movements of our hearts in response to these things, we will find that it is the ego that cannot bear these things. For St Paul tells us, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Lord, decrease our pride and increase our love today. Teach us to treasure Heavenly things and not our own egos. Make us humble in thought, words and deeds.
