Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
On this day 11 years ago, I like to think that LeeAnn and I made an investment in heavenly treasure, something that “neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.” (Mt 6:20) Our anniversary today is a beautiful opportunity for me to reflect on the words of Christ in our gospel. What is it that I cherish? Where do I place the greatest value in my life? What is my most precious treasure? As I sit here and look around me, I see stuff, lots of things, possessions, wants, just stuff. Sure, there is value and meaning to several items. The table I’m working from came from LeeAnn’s grandparents and the mug of water in front of me says Best Dad Ever (you can guess where that came from). I enjoy the connections to these items; but in the grand scheme of things, it’s all just stuff–treasures on earth.
Often in our lives, we get caught up in the wants, pleasures, and desires of our life here on earth. We focus lots of time and energy on comforts, lucrative investments, and innovative technology. When we bought a new(er) car last winter, we spent weeks doing research, talking to people, asking questions, and deliberating. Over the last couple of years, we’ve dedicated a lot of energy in meeting with advisors to set up life insurance policies and looking at our retirement plans. Since we moved to Dayton several years ago, I have spent countless hours mowing, edging, weeding, digging, planting, watering, landscaping, tree trimming, building, and more to take care of our property. None of these things are bad, but the question that comes to mind as I reflect on these treasures is, what about the relationships in my life? Have I invested the same time and energy in my marriage? My kids? My prayer life? When we leave this world, all that I have acquired here on earth stays behind. We take only the true goodness, care, and dedication to love of others and God’s creation. The love that we freely gave to others while on earth; therein lies our legacy, our true treasure.
Why do we accumulate so much stuff? For comfort? Security? Pleasure? Power? Status? The day we die, all our earthly treasures stay here. This table is literally ours because someone couldn’t take it with them when they died. What is the treasure of heaven? The gift and grace of love. God is love! Love binds us to Christ and to one another. What is it that I cherish? Over the last decade, God has gifted us with 4 small human treasures and countless memories that neither moth nor decay can destroy, nor thieves break in and steal.
Let us take some time today to ask ourselves, who and what are the real treasures in our lives? I encourage you to spend a few moments and write down these treasures. What a beautiful gift it is to appreciate the blessings, the heavenly treasures stored up in our lives. May our good and loving God continue to multiply the fruitfulness of love we treasure and store.
Peace,
Brandon Meyer