+ Our gospel passage today is a continuation of last week's passage about "storing up treasure!" The man in last week's story that Jesus told, piled up his treasure in earthly storage bins, very large ones – thus thinking himself well-off, safe and "in good shape" for years to come. But God demanded his life that very night, asking – so now, you foolish man, who is all of this stored up wealth going to go to? The point was that we need to make our treasure where it matters most to God – and that is with him! Today the theme continues: do not be afraid little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom – what an amazing treasure that is! Place your heart here, in mine, he says and your treasure will be secure not only through this life, but well into the next! No thief can reach it here, or moth destroy it; the storage containers cannot wear out here!
"The one condition, however, to place your treasure here, in my heart, is complete and total detachment from the things of the world, so that you will have to live on complete and total trust in me: this trust is called faith: the faith of Abraham (of the second reading today). Abraham lives in my heart, and so can you!" [This does not mean that you cannot own things, but they must not own you, and you must be ready to give them up at a moment's notice – to drop it all when the Lord calls you – (which as our gospel passage tells us can be any time at all) - so that you can reach out for your treasure with open hands and hearts in heaven! Closed fists clawing on material goods will not get anyone anywhere when the Bridegroom comes knocking on the door!]
God, you have chosen us to be your own possession, your own people, your own children! We are fortunate beyond all imagining having you as our Father! May we this day, and the days of the coming week: open our hands and our hearts, and set our goal on seeing your Face one day, fix it there, keep it there – keep this desire above all other desires – so that we may not have anything at all to fear – in this life - or when the next one begins!
May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you!
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