Treasure in Heaven:
On the first Sunday of Lent (02/26/2023), we read (Matt 6:19-33). In this passage, Jesus discusses a variety of topics–including how one can’t serve God and mammon, anxiety, and seeking the kingdom of Heaven: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt 16:33)
“Seek” means to search for or to go after. Hence, seeking the kingdom of God means searching for the kingdom of God or to go after it.
Through prayer, we communicate with God–have a conversation with Him. When having a conversation with a colleague or classmate, one gets to know him or her better. The same applies to Him. Part of this conversation includes reading the Bible and listening to what He has to say. So, through prayer (and Bible reading), one can learn more about God. That is seeking the kingdom of God. In addition, through repentance, one can seek the kingdom of God. With sin, there is a search for something that is not godly. By repenting, we do not only ask for forgiveness for seeking what is ungodly but also turn back to Him. Repentance straightens our paths and allows us to become closer to Him. As St. John Chrysostom said “For together with what has been said, He puts also yet another reason for feeling confidence about such things, saying, Seek the kingdom of Heaven, and all these things shall be added unto you. Thus when He had set the soul free from anxiety, then He made mention also of Heaven.”
Let us remain steadfast in our prayer lives and repentance not only during this lent season but year-round in order to become one step closer to the kingdom of God.
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