TREASURY BONDS - One Bread, One Body, 6/20/2008

The June issue of My People Newspaper is now online. Articles include:

Pope Emphasizes Conversion And Witness
Grandparents Are A Treasure
In Defense of Life: A Church Divided
Modesty — God's Gift

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Friday, June 20, 2008

2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20, Psalm 132, Matthew 6:19-23
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/062008.shtml

TREASURY BONDS

"Make it your practice instead to store up heavenly treasure, which
neither moths nor rust corrode nor thieves break in and steal." —Matthew
6:20

Athaliah, the wicked queen of Israel, stored up earthly treasure. She
built up her treasury by killing off the whole royal family (2 Kgs 11:1).
But wealth gained out of wickedness is like a flash flood: it rises
quickly, flourishes for a short time, and then "suddenly, once and for
all, comes to an end" (Sir 40:13-14). This proved true for Athaliah, as
she suddenly lost not only her wealth, but also her life. The point is
that earthly treasure can quickly vanish (Mt 6:19; Lk 12:16ff). Anyone who
lived through the stock market crash in the U.S. in 1929 can testify to
that.

Jehosheba's courageous act of hiding the baby king, Joash, in the temple
(2 Kgs 11:3) prefigures Jesus' admonition to store up heavenly treasure
(Mt 6:20). Heavenly treasure, such as acts of charity, almsgiving, and
prayer, is also "hidden in the temple of the Lord" (2 Kgs 11:3) and
cannot be destroyed (Mt 6:20). Just as a United States savings bond
reaches full financial maturity after seven years, so did Jehosheba's
treasure mature as the boy-king Joash spent his first seven years of life
in the safety of the temple (2 Kgs 11:4).

Our heavenly treasure will always yield a return. It will never be lost or
stolen. It is like seed which a farmer sowed in a field. Day after day, it
slowly matures without our knowing how it happens (Mk 4:26ff). When the
time is ready, our heavenly treasure yields a sure, indestructible return.

Prayer: Father, may I use my finances to bring many into Your kingdom.

Promise: "Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart is also." —Mt
6:21

Praise: Though tempted to turn her attention elsewhere, Susan prays the
rosary daily.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from June
1, 2008 through July 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, January 4, 2008

The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.

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