Click here for today’s Scripture readings.
2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20
Matthew 6: 19-23
Today’s first reading sounds like one of Shakespeare’s plays – with an evil queen, Athalia, who could be a role model for Lady Macbeth. Athalia had plotted to usurp the throne of David and to instigate the worship of a pagan god, Baal; but after much machinations and bloodshed, she herself is deposed and killed and the legitimate heir of King David is installed as king.
Athalia is the antithesis of everything Jesus is teaching in today’s gospel. For seven years she wallows in the power and prestige and luxury of the royal court, but all that proves an ephemeral treasure. She has a ‘bad eye’ for what is true treasure and her choices prove disastrous.
For the Christian, the real treasure in life is Jesus himself. If we are to be his true disciples, then we will follow faithfully in the footsteps of our Master “who had nowhere to lay his head”. We’ll recognize that the things of this world are passing. We need to use them of course, but we won’t allow them to become our masters – or be filled with the anxiety that comes from clinging to worldly possessions and always worrying about losing them.
Jesus says it best, “ I am the Light of the world; whoever follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
- Fr. Damian Towey, CP is a member of the community at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center,North Palm Beach,Florida.
