There are echoes of that theme in the Gospel reading. Jesus tells a person in dispute with his brother to not be so focused on earthly treasures. He elaborates with a parable about a man who appears to have much, but ultimately, it is without substance. (Notably, as Father Rex indicated in his homily, in this parable, God makes an appearance, which is rare for parables.)
St. Paul reminds us in the 2nd reading that we have been raised with Christ. Now in this reality, it's time to turn our gaze upwards and focus on building treasure in Heaven. We are called to leave aside wrongful behaviors of our old selves, and grow closer in relationship with God, more closely reflecting His image, and live to be a blessing to others.
Cardinal George was known for saying, "The only thing we can take with us when we die is what we have given away." The statement seems counterintuitive at first: Yet when we focus more on serving the good of others, driven by the spirit of what we have by faith, we truly build the kind of treasure that lasts, because we're living in love, made known powerfully when we give of ourselves.
Today is the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who had a radical conversion in his life, and was driven to focus on building up heavenly treasure, especially in founding the Society of Jesus.
Also, on today's date 20 years ago, Pope St. John Paul II canonized San Juan Diego. The Virgen de Guadalupe appeared to him in 1531, and he had a part in helping foster the mass conversion of native Aztec people in Mexico.
Indeed, let us open ourselves up to how God is all around us, and how we can use the opportunities of each day to build heavenly treasure.
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