“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” [Matthew 6:19-20]
On this Ash Wednesday we turn towards Jerusalem with Jesus knowing that the road ahead will not be smooth. We prefer to stay in Galilee marveling at the acts of power Jesus accomplishes through his teachings and healings. It is hard to know the cross is in our future. Yet, as Stephen Covey once said, “Begin with the end in mind.” This mantra helps us stay focused on what is important, what matters with the way we live our lives. As Jesus reminds us in Matthew’s Gospel, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal.” And yet many of us do. In our culture of consumerism, we accumulate treasures that have very little value in the kin-dom of God. On this Ash Wednesday, which happens to be the day when our culture celebrates love, may the Spirit give us the courage to remember that love, which is the greatest of these: faith, hope and love, with help us store up treasures in heaven.
Prayer
Holy God, your love never gives up or fails for it is steadfast and faithful. Give me the courage to love others as you love me. Grant me the wisdom to love others unconditionally. May faith, hope, and love abide within me always. Amen.