Pope warns against storing earthly treasures of money, power & prestige

Casa Santa Marta

On Friday, Pope Francis warned against the attractions of money, power and prestige, which harden the heart and never bring true happiness. In his reflection during morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, he said the real treasures which can gladden our hearts, are love for our neighbours and adoration of God.

In the day's Gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples not to store up treasures for themselves on earth. Pope Francis said the first of those earthly treasures is money which is always at risk from thieves and from the whims of the stock market. Money, he said, is necessary to provide for ourselves and our families, but he warned that those who are always seeking ways of accumulating wealth will end up losing their souls.

Another earthly treasure the Pope spoke about is prestige or the vanity of those who are always showing off, just like the hypocrites of Jesus’ day who made a great show of their prayers and almsgiving. Thirdly, Pope Francis warned against the allure of power, saying, ‘How many proud and powerful men and women have ended up in anonymity, in poverty and in prison!”

If you seek these treasures, the Holy Father said, your heart will be in chains, but Jesus wants our hearts to be free. And our hearts can only be free if we seek the treasures of heaven, that is love, patience, service of others and adoration of God. These treasures will lead to a free and luminous heart that will also age well – like a good wine, the Pope said. He concluded by praying for the spiritual prudence to discern and free out hearts from the slavery of earthly treasures, so that we may know the true joy and freedom of living as children of God.

Source: VIS