💖 HOMILY - JUNE 21 💖

First Reading - 2 Kings 11:1-4,9-20

Gospel - Matthew 6:19-23

Power, money, and pleasure drive people crazy. They are enticing and seductive, leading many to make them the goals and purposes of their lives. Today's readings remind us to make spiritual treasure our ultimate goal and purpose.

In the Gospel passage, Jesus contrasts material possessions with spiritual possessions. He tells his disciples not to accumulate possessions that are not used for His work. In ancient times, wealth often consisted of precious metals and clothes, making owners anxious about attacks from moth and rust, especially in hot and sandy climates like Palestine. Theft was also a significant concern. Thus, Jesus exhorts His disciples to seek spiritual riches, which are invulnerable to loss and decay. Material possessions cannot assure eternal life, but spiritual riches—such as holiness of character, obedience to God's commandments, and nurturing disciples in the faith—are treasures we can take beyond the grave.

Jesus does not condemn wealth or possessions but advocates for their compassionate use. He emphasizes that how people handle their finances affects every part of their lives. If wealth, which should lead to good, causes evil, then it corrupts the individual.

The first reading illustrates how to preserve our spiritual life. The people of Israel were lost in idolatry under Athaliah's guidance but renewed their covenantal relationship with God under Jehoiada, the priest. They promised loyalty to God, symbolically handing David's weapons to warriors and destroying the temple dedicated to Baal. This destruction marked their first step towards spiritual renewal.

Dear friends, our life on earth is a journey to heaven. Jesus' counsels challenge us to examine our way of life: Where are we storing our wealth? Is it material or spiritual? We should not be blinded by accumulating earthly treasures for selfish purposes and pleasure, which lead to spiritual death. Instead, we should seek spiritual treasures that have no threat to our spiritual life, eradicating everything that distances us from God and embracing everything that brings us closer to Him.

Jesus does not condemn wealth if it is used for the good of those in need. Compassionate use of wealth for the needy and poor is another step to store treasures in heaven and grow in spiritual riches. Let us be generous with our material possessions, whether money or other gifts.

Let us make the person of Christ our treasure. Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be." If we make Jesus our treasure, material wealth and earthly allurements will not distract us from possessing spiritual riches, for our heart will be fixed on Christ.

May God guide us to store up spiritual treasures for our life.