Matthew 6:19–24 Syro-Malabar VII Sunday of Kaitha

Store up Treasures in Heaven Gospel: "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and mammon." (Matthew 6:19-24) Jesus asks us the biggest question of our life: Where is your heart? 1. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be Jesus says: "Do not store up treasures on earth." Why? Because there are three enemies: Moth, rust, and thief. Our bank balance, gold, house, car, phone - everything has these three enemies. They will perish. But heavenly treasure has no enemies. What is heavenly treasure? - A rosary you prayed - An enemy you forgave - A donation you gave - A Holy Mass you attended - The comfort you gave to someone who was crying None of these will rust. This is our real Fixed Deposit. A Story: A rich man died. At the gate of heaven, St. Peter asked: "What have you brought?" The rich man said: "I built 10 houses, 5 cars, 100 sovereigns of gold." Peter said: "None of that is currency here. Did you ever GIVE anything to anyone on earth?" The rich man fell silent. Yes, what we take with us is only what we GAVE away. 2. The eye is the lamp - Your vision must be clear "If your eye is healthy..." The eye means our perspective, our attitude. A jealous eye - everyone looks like an enemy. A greedy eye - no matter how much you get, it is never enough. But a pure eye - you see God's blessing everywhere. Two people in the same family. One says "God gave me nothing." The other says "God gave me everything." The difference is not in wealth, but in the eye. 3. Two Masters - You must decide "You cannot serve both God and mammon (money)." The Catholic Church does not say money is bad. Money is a good servant, but a bad master. Today, for many people, the master is money. Should I go for Sunday Mass, or go for overtime work? Many choose money. Should I tell the truth, or lie to make a profit? Jesus says: Decide. You cannot stand in the middle. There are three Practical things for us: 1. One heavenly investment today: Help someone, forgive someone. 2. Examine your eye: From today, stop complaining and start giving thanks. 3. Choose your master: In my decisions, ask who is greater - God or money? Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, open our eyes which run after treasures that perish. Help us to accept You alone as our Master. Amen.