MY SHORT REFLECTION ON TODAY'S READING FROM THE GOSPEL According to Luke (Lk 12:32-48). "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

I often hear people remark, that this world is increasingly becoming materialistic. I agree to some extent but I would like to think that ever since the world began, humankind has always been materialistic. Even from the time that Cain offered his sacrifice to God, the malice of materialism was already there. In this gospel reading our Lord is trying to tell us that what we prioritize in life will be the basis for our striving. Moreover, the Lord is telling us that the relentless pursuit for material wealth will drive our hearts and minds towards these temporal things. We know that they who loved money shall pierced themselves with innumerable sorrow. And the vanity of all of it is that there is an appointed time when all men and women shall die. Once we die we leave of all things behind. For even our mortal bodies shall be helpless when death ensues. 

In relation to this I remember the philosophy of Christian Kierkegaard, a Danish existentialist philosopher, where he said that our lives are our project. When we possess our faculties and we are in the position to decide, we need to make that decision in a very responsible manner. We would not do well if we do not set a "project" for our lives. Though this is laced with anxiety, and indeed making decisions are a source of anxiety, yet we have to do this because this is our mission. But humans are not perfect they make mistakes sometimes. And Kierkegaard said that once we are on our dying bed we ca no longer do this project, our only recourse is throw ourselves into the loving and merciful arms of God who will judge us for all that we have done. But the key in this is that we must have the faith that God is merciful indeed. Because many people die with the thought that God is the judge but only few believe that He is Merciful. But I would like to add my opinion that though our lives our own project to do, we still need the faith to received the grace that comes from God. Just like what our Lord have said, that without Him we can do nothing.

This morning as I heard mass, I was mesmerized to hear once again the hymn "Anima Christi". Soul of Christ sanctify me... that by looking at the crucified Lord, meditating on his passion and wounds we can find life and strength for our souls.

Life is not about money. Life is not all about material wealth. But even in these material wealth God can shower us with gifts even beyond what we asked for. But we seldom forgot the word of Christ: "SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU." I have experience this in my own little way. And I know that God is good. But I know the treasure, I know that PEARL OF GREAT PRICE...and with God's help, poor sinner that I am, I am going to buy that pearl of great price. JESUS YOU are that pearl of great price. You are the key that opens the door to paradise. Amen.

Prayer: Lord open my eyes and remove the scales that covers my vision so that I may see the true wealth, and seek it with all my heart, that with your grace and help I may attain to it. I ask this in the name of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.