August 08, 2010 19th Ordinary Sunday Wis. 18:6-9; Heb. 11:1-2, 18-19; Lk. 12:32-48 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings:  http://www.usccb.org/nab/080810.shtml   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Jesus proclaims freedom from material anxieties and radical trust in God, who cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Mt. 6:25-34), and concludes with an exhortation to seek real treasures with God, for “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”   The big question is ‘where is my heart?’ We are being challenged to think through this question and to evaluate if our heart is seeking after self or after a real, vibrant relationship with God. In a lot of ways, we can put on many masks and faces so people perceive us as spiritual or godly, when in reality, deep in our heart of hearts or in our private life, we struggle with fears, temptations, and desiring the things of the world for man’s praise instead of glorifying God. Jesus directly addresses the heart by asking the question, “Where is your treasure?”   Two important questions that we must ask ourselves: The first is, “Where is our treasure?” The second question is: “Where is our focus?” What are our eyes focused on? Are they focused on the seen or the unseen? Jesus is asking us to repent, to change our minds about many things, to live a life of faith, and to serve the one true God.   Where is your treasure? So many things come to mind when we think of what Jesus is saying in these three verses that begin our passage. Are you earthly-minded or heavenly-minded? Are you investing in the future eternity to come, or are you investing in the here and now? Are you enthralled with the temporary versus the permanent? Now obviously all of these are asking the same thing, but it is very important that we fully grasp this thought. Jesus uses the three examples below to show how the things we deem most important are only temporary. He uses the moth, rust, and the thief.   What do you deem as valuable, because what you deem as valuable shows you where your heart is? Maybe it is money and wealth; maybe it is power and the desire to be recognized as a leader; maybe it is looking spiritual on the outside so that people think you have it together. Maybe it is popularity and acceptance through nice clothes or a home. Maybe it is your family and how you have raised great kids. Here, Jesus is calling us to change our minds from the temporary to the eternal, from the things that are passing by to the things that are permanent.     <<   Previous: 18th Ordinary Sunday  | Next: Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary >>   Go Back to SERMONS (Year C)