Made for Greatness

Homily for Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

In our Gospel this morning, we hear this passage that most of us have heard numerous times throughout our lives. Jesus tells us to store up for ourselves treasure in Heaven. But what exactly does that mean?

I think it’s pretty safe to say that all of us strive to do our best to follow the commands of the Lord, to be the best disciples that we can be. Are there things in our lives that we need to work on? Are there areas where we can do better? Absolutely. But for the most part, we’re trying our best. So how is the Lord challenging us today? Ultimately, He wants us to go deeper with Him. He wants us to strive for greatness.

God created the human person for greatness, He doesn’t want us to settle for mediocrity. It isn’t to be comfortable. Pope Benedict XVI once said: “The world promises you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” Jesus is encouraging us today to strive for that…He doesn’t want us to settle where we’re at. He wants us to give it our all. He wants us to be saints. He wants us to live with our eyes on that goal…spending eternity with Him. 

So this morning and throughout the day, let’s reflect on these words from Jesus. Where is our treasure being stored? Are we trying our very best in trying to strive for holiness, trying to strive for greatness? Or are we settling for mediocrity? Are we just giving the minimum? 

May we ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to go deeper with the Lord, for the courage to give it our all. The Lord wants us to be saints. Let’s go out and make that happen. Let it start today. 

Photo: Arto Marttinen on Unsplash. Used under Unsplash license.