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The BreadCast


Daily Exposition of the Readings for Catholic Mass...

as well as Prayers to the Saints on the General Roman Calendar (for the U.S.).  

From the books Our Daily Bread and Prayers to the Saints by James H. Kurt - both with imprimatur.

Jun 22, 2023

(2Cor.11:18,21-30;   Ps.34:2-7,18;   Mt.6:19-23)

 

“Store up heavenly treasure, which neither moths nor rust corrode

nor thieves break in and steal.”

 

It is clear where Paul’s treasure lies, and where it does not lie.  In the litany of the sufferings and afflictions he has endured as a “minister of Christ,” we understand without question his utter lack of concern for the things of this world.  How could it be otherwise with one who sacrifices himself so completely, readily bearing “labors” and “beatings” at every turn?  He gives not only all his possessions, but his very body for the cause of the gospel.  This is where his treasure lies – in Jesus and in His word – and he lays down all of this earth to see that blessed Word planted in the souls of all and grow to eternal life.  Beatings and stoning and hunger are as nothing to him; it is “anxiety for all the churches” which causes him the greatest pain.

And now, though the moths and rust of this world could not touch him and he remained untroubled by the thieves who waylay ships at sea, there is another kind of thief who is attempting to break in and steal, to steal that about which he is concerned the most.  False prophets have come along to influence his flock, and this corruption of the Word he cannot bear; so in this emotional diatribe he in effect calls on the Lord to open the eyes of the churches. 

And it is not only those at Corinth who need to be roused from their stupor of nodding approval to the voices of all who come speaking high-sounding words in God’s Name: we today and everywhere must heed the call to be on guard against the thieves who would break into our souls.  How strong and knowledgeable must we be in our faith, now with a history of Church teaching behind us – but how weak we often are.

Paul’s words were as caustic salve healing the wounds of his people.  I pray they may be so now in calling us to right Church teaching.  Each day we hear from those preaching the comfort to be taken in earthly treasure as they bow toward the god of this world – let us stand with eyes of holy light and speak of the unfading glory of heaven.  On this may our hearts be set and on the word of Jesus, that all our afflictions will be as so much dust blown away by the wind, by the Spirit of Truth.  In Him let us take our refuge.

 

*******

O LORD, the darkness of this world is deep indeed;

but we are not overcome by it,

for we do not live in it but in the light of Christ.

YHWH, let our light not be darkness; let us not set our hearts on the things of this world but on the things of Heaven.  Attached to this earth we would perish in sin – let us be aflame with the Spirit.

Why should we care if we must be beaten, if the threats of thieves surround our souls?  The dangers of the world are as nothing, for what can they take from us but this mortal flesh?  Our affliction comes only in seeing others fall into sin; our only fear is for their immortal souls, and our own.  O LORD, let all stay close to you.

May all your children extol your NAME in the heavenly kingdom.  May we all shine forth your light, even now while here on this dying earth.  Let its corruptibility not touch us, LORD, as we set our hearts on doing your will.  Be the light that shines in our eyes and our minds and we shall never go astray but through all trials increase in faith and come at last to eternal joy in your presence.