WHAT ARE THE DESIRES OF OUR HEARTS? - 6/17/22 (Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time)

Matthew 6:19-21

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. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061722.cfm

Blessed Friday! Our hearts have longing for happiness. Why is this the case? It's because God created us for Him where we can find true happiness. However, there is a problem when we fill our hearts with things that keep us away from God. When we think that we are content with material and worldly things, we may not realize that God, who is our true joy, is just present because we may have neglected Him in our lives. In the gospel reading for today, Jesus distinguishes the "treasures on earth" and the "treasures in heaven." Why should we be seeking worldly things if these will perish one day? Rather, our Lord is telling us that if our hearts are devoted to following His will, we can experience everlasting happiness in heaven. 

Sometimes, the reason why it's difficult for our hearts to desire the will of God is because we are not used to this. We may say that, "Home is where the heart is." But, what actually happens with our own homes and our own families? Our homes are supposed to be the environment that prepares us for heaven, our true home, and our parents are called by God to be the model of His love for us. And yet, we may be raised in a family who does not teach the Catholic faith to the children. Some of us are used to their parents who may be attached to perfectionism, to their works, to the achievements of their children and other things as well. However, because of this, the children may grow up without seeing the necessity and importance of centering their lives on God. They may be focused on material wealth as well, and they may no longer practice the Catholic faith. When they experience problems and difficulties, they may fall to despair or just turn to drunkenness instead of always going back to God. 

As we examine our past and our families, it's possible for us to see that the desires of our hearts are not yet ordered towards God. But, the Lord is telling us not to give up because in Him, we always have hope. God is always giving us the opportunity to change from our worldly ways so that we can have the hope of being united with Him in heaven. It's not too late for our hearts to be detached from pride, from vanity, and from worldly things. Our Savior is telling us to give our hearts totally to Him and to desire to do His will always. We can do this if, in our own homes, we glorify God through our prayers. It is also important for family members to go to Mass and teach others about the importance of the sacrament of confession. The parents have the duty to learn the Catholic faith and impart the teachings of the Church to their children. And, if it's unfortunate that we have loved ones who no longer believe in the teachings of the Church, may we not fall to discouragement because our prayers and sacrifices for them are not vain in the eyes of God. As long as we follow Christ and seek heavenly things, God will guide our family with His light towards the path to heaven where we will see God as the treasure that fulfills the desires of our hearts. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic