A Matter of Attitude

June 20: Friday of Week 11 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

2Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20; Psalm 132:11, 12, 13-14, 17-18; Matthew 6:19-23

A thought for those who want to reveal the risen Jesus in their lifestyle.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth.” Matthew 6:19

Taken literally, these words of the New Law abolish all bank accounts and investments. But Jesus is teaching an attitude.

If affluence—or even financial security—is a priority for us, we don’t have the mind of God. Jesus says, “Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Our Father is rich; we don’t have to be.

Being “rich” is not having a lot of possessions; it is thinking we own them. Jesus said, “If you wish to be perfect [live by God’s life], go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” We “sold everything” when we were baptized, by “presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice to God” (Romans 12:1), to live henceforth only as Christ’s body, his physical presence on earth. By this we dedicated (gave) all we had or ever would have totally to God’s service, which always includes care for the poor.

Our lifestyle should reveal unambiguously that this is our attitude toward money and possessions. If not, we cannot be witnesses to the Good News.

And if we are not, what real value does our life have?

It’s all a matter of attitude.

PRAY: “Lord, let me live by your light.”

PRACTICE: Do a “spiritual audit” on your use of money.