Base Your Lives On Heavenly Treasures That Lasts

2 Kings 11:14, 9-18, 20 & Mt. 6:19-23

Today’s first reading sounds like the plot of a film or one of Shakespeare's plays! Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab, the evil king of Israel, of the northern kingdom. She had married Jehoram of Judah and fully expected their son Ahaziah, would become king of Judah. When he was assassinated, she violently usurped the throne of Judah for herself and introduced the worship of the pagan god Baal but after seven years was overthrown and executed. The temple of Baal was destroyed, and Joash, the legitimate heir of King David, was installed as king.

Athaliah reflected what Jesus preached in today's Gospel; "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Athalia's treasure was the power and luxury of the court, and she sought it with all the ambition of her heart. It was an earthly treasure, indeed, which endured for a mere seven years. There was no lasting value in the power and luxury which she had taken for herself.

What lasts forever is really much more humble than all the trappings of royalty and heady political power. What lasts forever is really much more simple than all the searching after fleeting pleasure and passing luxury.

Jesus tells us to lay up heavenly treasures which come from a humility that makes us look to God as the source of all life, a holiness from a simplicity that makes us realise that lasting values are found in goodness, love and unselfishness. Athaliah is an example to us. How foolish we are if we fail to listen to Jesus, Wisdom itself, and base our lives on a search for false treasures.

Lord Jesus, take our hearts and fill them with Your love that we may desire You, alone, as our Treasure and our All.