“Store up treasures in heaven.” I took these words of Jesus literally when I was younger and tried to do the things — rosaries, litanies, novenas, etc. — that would give me spiritual “treasure.” Having such spiritual treasure would enable me to buy my way into heaven or so it seemed. The more practices I did, the more treasure I would have. I have learned that treasure is treasure and that “storing it up” is a dangerous practice even in the spiritual life. The truth is that all the important spiritual things are gifts, not treasures we earn. We don’t earn God’s grace and favor, God bestows it upon us unasked and unearned. For that reason the spiritual life is based on gratitude for blessings received.
JUNE222018
By Church Staff
