A sermon on Luke 12:32-34

By Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven. And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (Luke 12:32-34.)

I offer a story about how to store up treasure in Heaven. 

A tired looking woman came into a local grocery store. She approached the owner and said, "My husband died in the war. I want to get enough food to cook a Christmas dinner for my two children. I have nothing to offer but a prayer." 

The store owner told the woman, "Here's a pen and paper. Write your prayer on the paper, fold it up, and lay it on the scale's left plate. I will put food on the right plate till it equals the weight of your prayer. I will give to you for free the food that equals the weight of the paper. 

The woman thought, "The paper is so light. I would be lucky to get a grape."

The woman put the prayer paper on the weight side of his old scale. He started to pile food on the scale. Eggs, milk, bread, hot dogs, ham, cans of Chef Boyardee Beefaroni and Gold Star chili. 

To the amazement of everyone in the store, the scale did not move. The paper with the prayer was heavier than all the food on the scale. The scale was so full of food it could hold no more.

The woman received for free two bags of groceries so her kids could have a Christmas meal. She thanked God for this miracle, wondering how a piece of paper was heavier than all the food she held in her hands. 

When the store closed, the owner took the paper to read the prayer the lady wrote. It simply read, "Give us, O Lord, our daily bread." He put the paper in his pocket as a reminder to answer that prayer for others in need. 

Before closing shop, he also reminded himself, "Be sure to unscrew the knob that locks the scale." 

In retirement, I have made Cincinnati Children's Hospital my new parish where I celebrate Mass every Sunday. The Greek word for "parish" is paroikia which means "sojourning in a foreign land."

We are all pilgrims on a journey back home to God's Kingdom. God made us to live with Him. I love ministry to the sick children but I receive a great gift as well – storing up treasure in Heaven. 

As I get older, I am more aware that I have not here a lasting city. My life on earth is but a ship taking me to my true home in Heaven. God will judge you on the treasure of kindness you showed others. Cincinnati Children's is such a holy place because the cry of one child mobilizes so many dedicated people to care for the needs of that little one. There is a lot of treasure being stored in Heaven for sure.

I leave you with this question. "What are you doing to store up treasure in Heaven?" 

The day will surely come when you meet Jesus face to face. What are you going to say when He asks you, "What have you done with the gifts I gave you to help others?" 

Be prepared to give a good answer. Your "come to Jesus moment" may come on a day you least expect. 

The great writer Erma Bombeck said this before she passed from cancer, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'” 

Get ready. Treasure the joy that awaits you.

(Erma also said, “Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.”) 

Blessings...Fr. Mike