Saturday of Week 34 in Ordinary Time
Apo 22:1-7
Lk 21:34-36
Happy are those who treasure the prophetic message of this book.
Throughout our history, treasures have been a source of security for nations, and for individuals. In economics, we make sure that our national treasuries have enough in them, and how far they can tide us through the years is always of utmost importance. Personally, we also have our treasures. In finance, we have the concept of emergency funds, insurance, and various tools for investment and savings. With the looming recession, and perhaps the economic strain as a result of the recent pandemic, many of us had to put financial security at the top of our minds.
It is definitely prudent to be prepared. But at the end of the day, money can only do so much. It is so easy to get caught worrying if we have enough to last until our retirement. I’m guilty of that as well. So, today’s reading was a good reminder for me to reconsider what treasure should I derive my security from. It is definitely the message and the promise of God that He will take care of us, and that He has anticipated our needs even before we ask, and that He will give us exactly what we need.
A few days ago, I was walking around the garden of a retreat house and I saw flowers in full bloom. They were beautiful. The colours were so vivid and they added so much life in the garden. However, the following day, I saw them withering, and it wasn’t even sunny. Right then, I remembered the verse from Matthew 6:30:
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Knowing that I’m much more important than the flowers I saw assured me that all shall be well. This realization was one of those jewels added by God into my treasure chest.
As you read this, I invite you to reflect on how God has provided for your needs and how He has shown his love for you during the pandemic. We are now in post-pandemic times. It’s good to look back and find assurance how God has taken care of us. Maybe some of us had it worse, some of us had it lightly, but for each and every unique circumstance in our lives, God was personally present. What jewels did God add to your treasure chest?
As we approach the looming recession, let us remind ourselves where our security really comes from. For me, it is from the love of God, that boundless treasure of love.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Villa)
Prayer: Lord, please help me prepare as much as I humanly could, and please help me always, always remember that my security comes from you.
Thanksgiving: Thank you God, for providing me with your love and sustenance.
OXYGEN 
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