Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 19, 2026
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.
But store up treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
“The lamp of the body is the eye.
If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light;
but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness.
And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
Where are you storing your treasure?
I loved reading about pirates when I was a kid. Their exciting adventures battling other ships and hunting for treasure chests fascinated me. For pirates, treasure meant gold, rubies, spices, and other precious objects. But what does treasure mean for us? Although most of us don’t spend our time searching for buried jewels, it’s easy to find ourselves hoarding treasure like pirates. Is our treasure in the bank? Our career? What about our status or reputation?
Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven. How do we do that? Later in his Gospel, Matthew recounts the conversation between Jesus and the rich young man. Jesus tells him, “Sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Almsgiving is the answer!
Rather than seeking excessive riches for ourselves, Christ calls us to share with the poor. And he reminds us, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Paradoxically, when we give away our wealth, our time, or our talents for the good of others, we are actually enriched by the divine treasure that truly matters. And it is this treasure that wells up to happiness and eternal life.
The way we use the possessions and wealth God has given us reflects our hearts and our priorities. This weekend, take a look around your home. Is there anything you’re holding onto that you haven’t used in several years? How is God calling you to share with those in need?
Lord, teach us to be generous! Help us to keep our focus on you and to be good stewards of the things you have entrusted to our care. You are our treasure.
Prayer
O Jesus, treasure of our hearts, you are the light of the nations and illumine all darkness. Give us the grace to trust in your providential care that we may be filled with your light and live as children of light. We ask this through your most holy name. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Juliana was born into a storied family of the Florence nobility in 1270. Her uncle, St. Alexis Falconieri, was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order for men. Inspired by her uncle's holy example, Juliana decided at a young age to dedicate herself to God in religious life as well.
In 1285, she became a third order Servite and lived with her mother until she passed away. Upon her mother's death, Juliana and her companions moved in to their own communal house in 1305.
Juliana dedicated herself to care for the poor and sick. A popular story of her life says that she used her own mouth to suck infection out of the sores and wounds of patients languishing in the hospital.
In the midst of her constant care for the poor, Juliana made time to spend lengthy hours in prayer with God. She often entered into ecstasy during her prayer time, as the drawing to the left shows.
Juliana directed the sisters of the Servite order until her death in 1341. On her deathbed, Juliana was too ill to receive the Holy Eucharist, as she kept vomiting violently. She asked the priest to lay the host on her breast. The host disappeared, Juliana's body quieted, and she passed away peacefully. St. Juliana is the patron saint of those suffering from bodily ills.
St. Juliana Falconieri, founder of the Sisters of the Servite Order—pray for us!
Image Credit: Courtesy of the British Museum