(St. Luke 12:32-34) In today’s reading of the Holy Gospel According to Saint Luke we are given a consolation that has encouraged the faithful in every age. Christ speaks with a fatherly tenderness that dispels anxiety, assuring His disciples that they are not abandoned wanderers in a hostile world, but a “little flock” held securely in the care of the heavenly Father. The reassurance our Lord speaks of is not built upon human strength or worldly stability, but upon the unchanging will of Almighty God, who delights to share His kingdom with those who trust in Him. This divine generosity surpasses the rise and fall of nations, the limits of our abilities, and the burdens that often weigh upon the heart.

From this divine assurance flows a command that reorders the entire pattern of Christian life. The Lord said, “Sell what you possess and give alms.” Christ does not advocate destitution for its own sake; rather, He calls His disciples to detach themselves from those possessions that silently shape their loyalties and cloud their spiritual vision. The act of giving alms is an outward sign of inward freedom. It declares that the believer’s hope does not rest upon vanishing wealth, passing comforts, or shifting social securities. Instead, it sets one’s trust upon the eternal mercy of God. The disciple learns to see every gift as something entrusted by the Lord, not hoarded for fear of loss, but placed into the world as an instrument of charity.

To reinforce this teaching, Christ uses the imagery of heavenly treasure, a “bag that grows not old.” Earthly riches decay, are stolen, or lose their value. Heavenly treasure endures because it is held within the life of God, untouched by corruption. Every act of generosity, every sacrifice made for the sake of love, and every unseen deed performed in obedience to Christ is gathered and preserved in the divine memory. Such treasure does not fluctuate with the instability of earthly markets, nor is it threatened by the malice of others. It endures because it is rooted in the eternal kingdom bestowed by the Father upon His children.

Our Lord leads us to the heart of the matter when He says, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Human desires follow what we value most deeply. If our treasure rests in earthly security, our hearts will remain troubled whenever that security weakens. If our treasure is anchored in the kingdom of God, our hearts will find stability, purity, and peace. Christ calls His followers to place their hearts where joy is unfading and hope is unshakeable. By lifting our gaze toward the kingdom, we learn to live with a freedom that the world cannot give. The little flock is strengthened, not by numbers or influence, but by a steadfast heart fixed upon the Lord who gives the kingdom in love.

The message contained in these teachings of Christ may be applied first by cultivating a spirit of trust in the Father’s providence. Christ declares that the kingdom is already willed for His flock; therefore, we are invited to live without the constant fear that so often governs human decisions these days. This trust is an act of the will that acknowledges God’s sovereignty over all circumstances. By entrusting ourselves to His care each morning and evening, we gradually loosen the grip of anxiety, allowing the heart to rest in the certainty that God does not abandon those who seek Him.

A further application lies in the way we handle our possessions. The Lord calls us to treat earthly goods as servants, not masters. This involves examining 1) what we own, 2) why we own it, and 3) whether it serves the good of others. Genuine charity begins when we recognise that nothing we possess is ultimately ours, but entrusted to us for the service of God and neighbour. Giving alms, supporting those in distress, and living simply cultivate freedom from the hidden tyranny of material concern. Each act of generosity is a step into the life of the kingdom, shaping the soul to value what is eternal rather than what is passing.

Christ also teaches us to form habits that create “bags which grow not old.” This means investing time, strength, and resources in works that cannot decay. Prayer offered faithfully, forgiveness extended even when difficult, service given without seeking praise, and compassion that reflects the mercy of Christ all become part of our treasure in heaven. By ordering our days around the love of God and neighbour, we establish patterns of life that endure beyond the limitations of earthly existence. We learn to measure success not by accumulation but by fidelity and charity.

The application of Christ’s teachings in these particular verses is found in the conversion of the heart. Our loyalties reveal themselves by what we value. If our hearts are fixed upon earthly security, we will become restless whenever that security is threatened. If our hearts are directed toward the kingdom, we will be steadied by a peace the world cannot give. By daily turning our thoughts to Christ, examining our motives, and asking the Holy Spirit to purify our desires, we begin to order our treasure according to the will of God. In doing so, our lives take on a clarity and purpose that reflect the kingdom already given to the little flock, and our hearts rest where they truly belong.

May God bless you +

Fr. Charles
20 November 2025