Store Up Treasures In Heaven

In the heart’s quiet chambers, a truth unfolds, 

Our perspective shapes our spiritual mold. 

We cannot serve both God and mammon’s call, 

For earthly treasures, in His light, are small.

His riches far surpass the fleeting gold, 

In eternal things, our investments hold. 

A healthy eye brings light, a beacon bright, 

An unhealthy one casts shadows, dims the sight.

Let us seek the light of God’s pure truth, 

Prioritizing Him in age and youth. 

Above all else, let His love be our guide, 

In His eternal grace, let us abide.

REFLECTION:

"But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal." (Matthew 6:20)

Our perspective shapes our spiritual condition. We cannot serve both God and material wealth (mammon). Earthly treasures pale in comparison to His riches. It is important to invest in eternal things, not fleeting possessions. 

A healthy eye brings light; an unhealthy one brings darkness. Let us seek the light of God’s truth prioritizing God above all.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Our perspective shapes our spiritual condition, and we acknowledge that we cannot serve both You and material wealth. Earthly treasures pale in comparison to Your boundless riches. Help us to invest in eternal things, not fleeting possessions.

Grant us a healthy eye that brings light and protect us from an unhealthy one that brings darkness. Let us seek the light of Your truth, Prioritizing You above all else.

Guide us to live in Your eternal grace, and let Your love be our constant guide. In Your holy name, we pray.

Amen.

Pericope:

II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom

TREASURE IN HEAVEN / THE LIGHT OF THE BODY

Matthew 6:19-21 / 22-23

Gospel Acclamation

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 

Gospel | Matthew 6:19-23

19 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.” 

Background:

Background of Matthew 6:19-23. In this passage, Jesus addresses the relationship between our treasures, our hearts, and our priorities:

Treasures on Earth vs. Treasures in Heaven: Jesus begins by cautioning against laying up treasures on earth. Earthly treasures are vulnerable to decay (moths and rust) and theft. Instead, He encourages us to lay up treasures in heaven, where they remain secure and eternal. The heart follows where our treasure is stored—our priorities reveal our true affections.

The Lamp of the Body: Jesus uses a metaphor: the eye is like a lamp for the body. If our eye is good (focused on heavenly things), our whole being is filled with light. Conversely, if our eye is bad (fixed on earthly desires), darkness pervades our lives. Our perspective shapes our spiritual condition.

Serving God or Mammon: Jesus concludes by emphasizing that we cannot serve both God and mammon (material wealth). Our loyalty must be singular. Seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness should be our primary pursuit.

Learning Lessons:

Matthew 6:19-23 imparts valuable lessons that resonate with believers across time. Let’s explore them:

Treasures on Earth vs. Treasures in Heaven: Jesus warns against storing up earthly treasures susceptible to decay (moths and rust) and theft.

Instead, prioritize heavenly treasures, which endure and remain secure. Invest in eternal things, not fleeting possessions.

The Lamp of the Body: Jesus uses a metaphor: the eye as a lamp. A healthy eye brings light; an unhealthy one brings darkness. Our perspective shapes our spiritual condition. Seek the light of God’s truth. Guard your focus; let it be on heavenly matters.

Serving God or Mammon: We cannot serve both God and material wealth (mammon). Choose loyalty to God. Earthly treasures pale in comparison to His riches. Prioritize God above all; seek His kingdom and righteousness.

Reflection Source:

Conversation with Copilot

Await New Heavens

In the realm where divine patience lays,

God's promises echo through the days.

Seeming delays, but a divine art,

For salvation's chance to more impart.

Look forward, with anticipation filled,

To the Lord's coming, our hope instilled.

Strive to be spotless, blameless, at peace,

In God's love, let your integrity increase.

Live a life of integrity, pure and bright,

Maintain with God, a relationship right.

In pleasing Him, find your life's song,

In His holy presence, we belong.

Guard against error, spiritual and deep,

In the grace of Jesus, let us steep.

Against false teachings, remain steadfast,

In God's truth, let our lot be cast.

Grow in grace, in knowledge abound,

In Jesus Christ, let our lives be found.

Seek to understand, in all God's ways,

Allow His grace, our hearts to raise.

In steadfast truth, let us remain,

In understanding God, let us gain.

His grace transforming us, day by day,

In His love, we find the way.

REFLECTION:

But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)

God’s seeming delay in fulfilling His promises is actually a demonstration of His patience, giving more people the opportunity to be saved. 

We should look forward with anxious anticipation to the coming of the Lord make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with God by living living a life of integrity and seeking to maintain a right relationship with God in a manner that is pleasing to Him. 

Let us guard against spiritual error and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ by being vigilant against false teachings and remaining steadfast in the truth of God’s Word, continually seeking to understand more about God and His ways and allowing His grace to transform us.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We acknowledge Your divine wisdom and infinite patience. We understand that Your seeming delay in fulfilling Your promises is actually a demonstration of Your patience, giving more people the opportunity to be saved. We are grateful for Your mercy and Your love.

As we look forward with anxious anticipation to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that You help us make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with You. Guide us to live a life of integrity, seeking to maintain a right relationship with You in a manner that is pleasing to You.

Lord, we ask for Your protection as we guard against spiritual error. Help us to be vigilant against false teachings and to remain steadfast in the truth of Your Word. We pray for discernment and wisdom as we navigate through the challenges of this world.

We desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. We pray that You open our hearts and minds as we continually seek to understand more about You and Your ways. Let Your grace transform us, molding us into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

In all things, we give You thanks and praise. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Pericope:

IV: The Delay of the Second Coming

EXHORTATION TO PREPAREDNESS

2 Peter 3:11-16

First Reading | 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18

12 Beloved: Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire. 13 But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. 15 And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation. 17 Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. 18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 

Background:

The book of 2 Peter was written by the apostle Peter, who identifies himself as an “apostle of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). He specifically mentions that he was an eyewitness of the transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16–18; see Matthew 17:1–8). The letter was likely written from prison in Rome not too long before his death by execution, sometime during AD 64–6712. It is believed that Peter may have been writing to the churches of Asia Minor.

The purpose of 2 Peter was to expose, thwart, and defeat the invasion of false teachers into the church. Peter intended to instruct Christians on how to defend themselves against these false teachers and their deceptive lies. The false teaching was not only a theological challenge but also a moral one, promoting some form of sexual permissiveness as a legitimate Christian lifestyle.

In the context of 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18, Peter is addressing the certainty of the last days and God’s promise. He emphasizes the importance of being mindful of the words spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the apostles of the Lord and Savior. He encourages believers to endure in the face of opposition, knowing that they are living in the last days. He reassures them that the Lord is patient with his creation, but someday he will suddenly return to judge it.

In verses 17-18, Peter warns his readers to be on guard so that they may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from their secure position. He encourages them to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Learning Lessons:

The verses 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18 offer several important lessons for Christians:

Anticipate the Coming of the Lord: The verses encourage believers to look forward with anxious anticipation to the coming of the Lord. This anticipation should motivate us to live in a manner that is pleasing to God.

Strive for Peace and Purity: Believers are urged to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with God. This means living a life of integrity and seeking to maintain a right relationship with God.

Value the Lord’s Patience: The patience of the Lord is to be regarded as salvation. This means understanding that God’s seeming delay in fulfilling His promises is actually a demonstration of His patience, giving more people the opportunity to be saved.

Guard Against Spiritual Error: Believers are warned to guard themselves from spiritual error. This involves being vigilant against false teachings and remaining steadfast in the truth of God’s Word.

Grow in Grace and Knowledge: Finally, believers are encouraged to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This involves continually seeking to understand more about God and His ways, and allowing His grace to transform us.

These lessons remind us of the importance of staying faithful, being vigilant against false teachings, and continually growing in our relationship with Christ. They encourage us to live lives that are pleasing to God as we anticipate His return. (Conversation with Copilot)