Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves
but are not rich in what matters to God."
Luke 12:21
The events of World Youth Day are wrapping up in Poland. I have been following on Twitter groups from the Bay area. Can you imagine the life changing events they are a part of? Following them has given me great insight as to their experiences and reminds me of the significance of such a journey. I looked at the rules of making a pilgrimage from a handbook given to high school kids from Jesuit High in Tampa: " 1. Don't Complain 2. Don't Complain 3. If you see a bathroom, use it." and so on ..The simplicity of these rules can make us chuckle but the reality is that when these youths are on a mission trip or a pilgrimage, meeting basic needs can become quite a challenge. It is then a startling way of changing perspective, reminding even us as we pray for them how grateful we should be, and how grateful they probably are, even for a simple thing like a cup of cold water.
It is important for us to use the things we have wisely, remembering that as we make our life journey, we can view earth as a temporary home. With that perspective, we can take the "bird's eye view", like a bird that soars above the earth, and hopefully we can rise above the pitfalls of greed and even envy that can be such a burden. As the summer continues, many of us will start back to school shopping and we will want new clothes and the latest tech equipment and phones. Oh, the competition for our dollars will begin! Let's keep that bird's eye perspective of being sure we take time out to see the "big picture" and include prayers of gratitude as we gather ourselves and get ready for the next school year.
