Dear Friends in Christ,
Who or what do you most treasure in your life?

I ask because our All Souls’ and Saints’ Sunday is before us. And, on Sunday, we’ll remember and celebrate memorable persons in our lives who’ve “gone on before us.”

Sometimes, there are things we treasure very much in life, experiences unique or repeated. But, typically, its people we treasure even more. We may “love” some of our experiences, but the love others give to us can be even more powerful. And, when such loving people are in our past, we grieve our loss with all our heart.

With respect to treasuring things or people, Jesus teaches:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where treasure is, there your heart will be as well…

This is his way of saying, “Be careful of who or what you treasure for life on earth is brief, and you ought to spend your time and energy on what will last beyond your life.

The question, “What matters most to us?” is a starting point for reflecting on how well we’re living into Jesus’ wisdom. But, “Is what matters most to us worth treasuring?” is the final question.

We’ll reflect more on these questions as we remember the saints of our lives on this upcoming All Souls Sunday. I hope you can join us in-person or virtually from home.

Blessings of a Lifetime,
Pastor Ed