Holding on to treasures

Your sister was being a brat and searched your room. She found the box where you keep your treasures, and now she's teasing you about it! She doesn't understand how important those things are to you.

Other people can't look at a stuffed elephant or a movie ticket and see how special they are. They don't remember the movie or your grandma giving you the elephant. But Jesus would understand that you want to share your special things with special people. In this week's Gospel (Matthew 22:15-21), He talks about just that.

Some people were trying to trap Jesus into saying they could break the law, so He'd get in trouble. "Teacher," they asked, "should we pay taxes to Caesar?" Jesus looked at a coin and said, "Whose face is on this?" "Caesar's," they answered. "Then give Caesar what's his, and give God what belongs to God," Jesus told them.

If your sister borrows your sweatshirt, you probably won't get as angry as when she looks through your treasures. After all, a shirt is just clothes, but your special things are IMPORTANT!

Jesus felt the same way. He knew people were supposed to pay money to the king; but to Him, giving money away was like letting your sister wear your shirt: it didn't really matter, because money wasn't special to Jesus. Instead of money, He wanted people to save their treasures -- faith, hope and love -- for God.

Even worse than your sister's finding your special stuff is her teasing you about it. Since she feels that your stuff is silly, you might think that maybe your treasures aren't so special after all. You feel a little sad -- your favorite rock is just a rock, now.

Jesus understood that, too. People hurt Him by talking about money when He was trying to teach about God. He must have felt a little sad, wondering if they cared about the special things He had to say. He was sharing His treasures, and they were teasing Him.

Whenever someone teases you about your things, remember the Gospel story. They may not see what's really special, but Jesus does -- and if you share your treasures with Him, He'll share His with you!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me remember what's really special: loving you and letting you love me back! Amen.

(10-17-96)

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