Reflection for June 19 Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:19-23

Gospel: Matthew 6:19-23

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.

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; 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.”

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Reflection:

Do we believe that our eyes reflect our present circumstances?

Our eyes are often called the windows to our souls. When we are joyful, that joy shines through our eyes. When we are burdened with sorrow, our eyes often reveal the pain hidden deep within our hearts. We may try to conceal our emotions from others, but sooner or later our eyes speak the truth about what is happening within us.

So, how can we have eyes that radiate happiness, contentment, and serenity even amid life's challenges? The answer is simple yet profound: we must store up treasures in heaven by doing good to others. We do this by extending compassion to those who are poor in spirit and in material resources, by sharing our blessings, and most importantly, by sharing Jesus with those who long for hope, love, and salvation.

Every act of kindness, every sacrifice made out of love, every encouraging word, and every effort to lead others closer to Christ becomes a treasure stored in heaven. These are treasures that neither moth nor decay can destroy and that no thief can ever steal.

What are we storing up today? Perhaps many of us have become occupied with the pursuit of worldly success, recognition, possessions, and achievements. We spend much of our time striving to gain the approval of a world that is temporary and passing away.

Yet the Lord gently reminds us that everything in this world is fleeting. Wealth will fade, accomplishments will be forgotten, and earthly possessions will eventually be left behind. In the end, what will truly matter is God and the relationship we have built with Him. What will matter is whether we have loved Him wholeheartedly and allowed His love to flow through us to others.

As we journey through life, may we continually ask the Lord to purify our hearts so that our eyes may reflect His light, His peace, and His presence. May our lives bear witness to treasures that are eternal rather than temporary, heavenly rather than earthly.

When others look into our eyes, do they see hearts that are fixed on the things of God, or hearts consumed by the passing treasures of this world? What treasure are we investing in right now that will still matter when we finally stand before the Lord?– Marino J. Dasmarinas