A few years ago, I helped clean out my grandfather’s house after he passed.
It felt surreal, opening boxes of things he’d kept for decades—a collection of sports trophies from his younger days, certificates he’d earned, souvenirs from travels he’d talked about endlessly.
At one time, each of these things must have meant the world to him, but now they were just… things.
I remember holding an old trophy in my hands and thinking, Is this all that’s left of a life?
It made me pause.
We spend so much of our lives collecting achievements and memories, hoping they’ll somehow make us unforgettable. But in the end, most of what we cling to fades away.
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of this when He says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” It’s a call to refocus on what truly lasts.
We hear this often, yet it’s so easy to get pulled back into building lives that feel secure and meaningful—chasing the next goal, seeking approval, collecting comforts.
But Jesus reminds us that only one thing endures: God’s love and His truth.
With everything happening in the world today, it’s easy to feel like life is a bit upside down. We see conflict, natural disasters, and crises that remind us how fragile things can be. It’s tempting to wonder where everything is headed. But in this week’s Gospel, Jesus gently shifts our focus. Rather than getting caught up in worry about the future, He invites us to look at how we’re living right now.
Are we living in a way that reflects what truly matters—God’s love and His truth?
Here are three simple ways to bring more focus to what truly matters this week:
- Start each day with one minute of quiet. It’s tempting to jump right into the demands of the day, but even a minute with God can center us. Take 60 seconds to just breathe, thank God for the day ahead, and ask for His guidance.
- Do one small act of kindness. Whether it’s giving someone a genuine compliment, offering a listening ear, or letting someone cut in front of you on your way out of the church parking lot, small acts of love matter. Choose one moment this week to intentionally serve someone, no matter how small the gesture may seem.
- Let go of one worry. When you feel overwhelmed by a worry about the future, hand it over to God—even if it’s just for today. Pray a simple prayer like, “Lord, I trust You with this.” Releasing even one worry can help us make room for God’s presence here and now.
As you go through this week, I invite you to try one of each of these practices.
When all else fades, His word and love remain, and our small, faithful acts add up to a life that truly matters.
God bless you!
-Fr. Francisco