WSC Reflection Guide - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time. (For August 8, 2025 P&W)

Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide

Taken from August 3, 2025 (Cycle C, Year I) – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE - IN THIS WORLD OR IN HEAVEN?

Community Word: Living a life for God leads us to store up heavenly treasures.

Theme: We store up heavenly treasure when we guard against idolatry and worldly attachments.

Promise: “When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:4)

Reflection:

The liturgical readings for this Sunday invite us to examine our values in light of our Christian vocation. In a world that encourages the pursuit of wealth, success, and material gain, Sacred Scripture offers a sobering reminder of the transient nature of earthly possessions and the incomparable value of storing up treasures in heaven.

The Book of Ecclesiastes reflects on the vanity of life without God, describing human efforts as futile when they are detached from divine purpose. Likewise, in the Gospel parable, Jesus recounts the story of a man who amassed wealth and secured his material future, only to face death that very night. The Lord's rebuke – “You fool!” – emphasizes that storing up treasure for oneself, while neglecting richness toward God, is spiritually dangerous.

St. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, exhorts the faithful to "set [their] minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Col 3:2). This directive challenges us to reorient our lives according to the values of the Kingdom of God. For those who profess new life in Christ, the call is to detach from superficial desires and live with eternity in view.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches the virtue of poverty of heart, a disposition that recognizes God as the only true treasure. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt 6:21). He consistently called His disciples to prioritize Him above all else and to renounce all forms of idolatry. The example of the poor widow who gave all she had to live on (cf. Lk 21:1–4) reflects this spiritual detachment and trust in divine providence.

Earthly riches, while not inherently evil, can easily become obstacles to grace when they dominate our thoughts and affections. St. Augustine cautioned against such attachments, declaring: “Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” The truly blessed are those who surrender their anxieties to God and find joy in spiritual simplicity and trust.

Pursuing detachment from worldly goods does not mean rejecting all material possessions, but rather placing them in proper perspective. It involves recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God, entrusted to us not merely for personal benefit but for the service of others and the building of His Kingdom.

When we cultivate poverty of heart, we allow Christ to reign fully in our lives. This inward freedom enables us to live simply, pray sincerely, and serve generously. In doing so, we experience the peace of Christ, which guards our hearts and minds, and we share in His joy. This is the essence of the new life we are called to embrace, one rooted not in accumulation, but in surrender and faithful stewardship.

Let us, then, strive to store up not temporal wealth, but those treasures that endure unto eternity. In doing so, we hold fast to the promise of the week: “When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:4)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, grant me the grace to detach from worldly attachments that distract me from fully devoting my life to You. May I seek You as my greatest treasure and find joy in living according to Your will. Teach me to be a faithful steward of the material and spiritual gifts You have bestowed, that I may use them for the good of others and for the glory of Your name. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:

1. How does the concept of “heavenly treasure” shape my understanding of the true purpose and meaning of life?

2. What attachments or priorities hinder me from fully embracing the new life in Christ, and what concrete steps can I take to grow in spiritual detachment?

This Week's Daily Mass Reading Guide:

August 3, 2025 (Sun) – Eccl 1:2; 2:21-23/ Ps 90:3-6, 12-14, 14/ Col 3:1-5, 9-11/ Lk 12:13-21

August 4, 2025 (Mon) – Nm 11:4-15/ Ps 81:12-17/ Mt 14:13-21

August 5, 2025 (Tue) – Nm 12:1-13/ Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 6-7, 12-13/ Mt 14:22-26

August 6, 2025 (Wed) – Dn 7:9-10, 13, 14/Ps 97:1, 2, 5, 6, 9/ 2 Pt 1:16-19/ Lk 9:28-36

August 7, 2025 (Thu) – Nm 20:1-13/ Ps 95:1, 2, 6-9/ Mt 16:13-23

August 8, 2025 (Fri) – Dt 4:32-40/ Ps 77:1-16, 21/ Mt 16:24-28

August 9, 2025 (Sat) – Dt 6:4-13/ Ps 18:2-3, 3-5, 47, 51/ Mt 17:14-20

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”

Council of Servant Leaders

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Alfred S. Kudemus

CSL Secretariat

BLD Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16