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
But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal
St. Romuald was born into wealth and privilege in Italy around the year 950. Romuald understood that earthly possessions, success, and human praise are temporary. After a profound conversion, he embraced a life of prayer, silence, penance, and solitude living behind worldly ambitions and sought the treasure that lasts forever—a deep union with God.
He founded the Camaldolese monks, and encouraged others to seek God with an undivided heart. He stored up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.
Romuald kept his spiritual vision fixed on Christ. He was not distracted by wealth, power, or comfort. His heart's eyes desired to see only God. As a result, he guided many others toward holiness.
In our own lives, I doubt we will be called to the desert or a monastery, but we are called to examine what we treasure. Do our thoughts, priorities, and choices lead us closer to God, or do we become attached to things that cannot last? Do we pray for a relationship with God and not just someone who will bail us out of trouble? St. Romuald challenges us to simplify our lives, spend time in prayer, and keep our eyes fixed on Christ.
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