The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6: 19-21

There are treasures and treasures. One man’s junk can be another man’s treasure. Isn’t that why yard sales are so popular? One person discards something of little or no value; another person finds it hidden away and, to him or her, it is a treasure to be cherished.

People choose all kinds of things to be their treasure. In the movie, ‘There Will Be Blood’, a man chooses oil as his treasure. He finds his oil but looses everything else he had in life-his wife, his son and his freedom.

For one person, a car may be his treasure. For another, it may be a house, a bank account, a boat, or a business. Whatever it is, it will fade and pass away; it will not bring full happiness even now.

The only treasure worth having and striving for in this life is spiritual treasure because you can have it now and you will have it in the life to come. Spiritual treasure never fades; it never passes away for it is eternal. It is to be found within you. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his approval” says the Lord, “and everything else will be granted to you.”

This one, true treasure is the only treasure that lasts. All other earthly treasures come and go and are subject to decay, eventually. Xanadu, perhaps the world’s most stately pleasure dome and garden ever constructed by man, is now only a bunch of ruins.

Why waste your time building up earthly treasures which moth and decay destroy? There is one treasure that never decays and is within your grasp and the grasp of everyone, even the least among us. That treasure is the Lord’s word.

“Heaven and earth will pass away’, says the Lord, “but my word will never pass away.”

Fr. Hugh Duffy