Treasure in Heaven

November 7, Tuesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Romans 12:5-16ab; Gospel: Luke 14:15-24

The Gospel story today tells us about the host preparing everything for a party when the attendants were requested to descend but were denied entry. On the designated day, the servants were dispatched once more to notify the visitors that the party had been prepared. Sadly, for a variety of reasons, none of the guests were interested in attending.

The gospel offers us several reasons for declining the invitation, such as "because the individual recently purchased a field" (v. 18). The second reason is "simply because the individual who purchased six oxen desired to observe them" (v. 19). The third reason was that the individual was recently married" (v. 20). The initial reason symbolizes labor, the subsequent reason represents property, and the final reason symbolizes kinship or family.

Work, possessions, and family are the worldly priorities that can prevent us from coming to Jesus. Bear in mind that our "possessions" are transient and should not prevent us from partaking in the Lord's Supper. Avoid adopting ungodly priorities in life that may cause us to drift away from God.

We are reminded of what Jesus told a young man (Matthew 19:21), "If you desire perfection, sell everything you own and give it to the poor; then you will have treasure in heaven; then come here and follow Me."