Good stuff

Today’s readings all hammer on the same point: a very sensitive point for many of us.

We live in a world full of wonderful things. We live in a world full of people – our friends, our family, even ourselves – who want to acquire and enjoy these things. "What’s the harm?" "Go for it!"

What is the harm? Sometimes there is none. God has given us many good gifts to use for our enjoyment, for the good of our fellow men and women, and for His glory.

But far too often in this world, there is harm. The harm may not be immediately obvious, but it is often very great. We must be careful.

First, are we perfectly virtuous in everything we do to get the things we want? Do we cut corners, bend the truth, muddle through gray areas of morality, or even worse?

Second, what do we neglect to get the things we want? Do we neglect our loved ones, emotionally or otherwise? Do we neglect our health? Do we neglect the development of our spiritual life? Do we neglect our solemn obligation to help our brothers and sisters in need or the work of the Gospel?

Third, to put it colloquially, where is our head? As our Lord says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.” Do our possessions possess us? Do we want to be among those “who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God?”

As St. Paul says,
If then you have been raised with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ sits at the right hand of God.

Set your affections on things above,
not on things on the earth.

For you are dead,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ - who is our life - appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.

Therefore, put to death within yourself
whatever is earthly:
immorality, impurity, inordinate affection,
evil desire, and the greed which is idolatry.
On account of these things,
the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
In these things you too walked and lived for a time,
but now, get rid of them all:
anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication out of your mouth.
Do not lie to one another,
seeing that you have put off the old self with its deeds;
And have put on the new self,
which is renewed in knowledge
after the image of its Creator.

We walk and work in the world, but our hearts and minds should be and must be on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.