Where your treasure is, there your heart be too

We are not getting any younger and in our sixties, soon to be seventies. We are in the twilight of our life. Soon, we shall be taking our final exams in the pre-departure area. What shall we tell our Lord on the Day of Judgment? What have we done with the life that God gave us? Is the world now better, happier with the things we did? Or did we cause pain, misery, and problems to others? Have we contributed a little something to life? Are we leaving a legacy to our children and their children's children? In today's gospel (Luke: 12:32-48), the evangelist tells us about the Lord and the servant, and the treasure that each one keeps. He said that our treasure determines where our heart belongs.

I was in the airport a week ago sitting beside the most senior Lower House member from Cebu, my wedding ninong, Eddiegul, who is a former governor of Cebu, mayor of Talisay, and now congressman again. The night before, we attended the GAHOM or Grand Alumni Homecoming of our common alma mater, the 100-year old University of the Visayas, which his late parents founded in 1919. I know that the heart of Eddiegul belongs to public service. He has been serving the people of Cebu since the early seventies, or for almost half a century. He could have accumulated wealth, or aspired for the Senate, but his treasures are his family, UV, the 1st district of Cebu, and Talisay City. To those belongs Eddiegul's heart.

I also think of Archbishop Jose Palma. By the size of his archdiocese (the biggest in the country), and by his performance, leadership, and dedication, he should have been a cardinal years ago. He is much more senior than Cardinal Chito Tagle. But position or prestige are not his treasures. His heart belongs to God and to the people, the Lord's flock he faithfully serves. Also, former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr. comes to mind. He had been justice, chief justice, Comelec chairman, ambassador, Batasan member, 1972 Concon delegate, 1986 Concom commissioner, and Magsaysay awardee. But all these honors are not his treasures. His heart belongs to his wife, children, grandchildren, Argao, and Colawin.

In Cebu, there are taipans who own airlines, giant malls and billions of dollars. These are their treasures. There are others who own universities and hospitals and their hearts belong to the institutions they founded and manage. Their treasures are buildings, properties, billions in the banks, and the envy of their enemies and friends. Sports icons like Manny Pacquiao put their hearts in the world acclaim for their prowess and skills. Great singers, artists, and actors have their treasures in the adulation of multitudes of fans and admirers. Famous poets, playwrights, novelists, painters, and other men and women of the arts build their treasures by the power of their pens or brushes. The scientists and technologists put their hearts in their inventions.

Each one has his own treasure and every heart has its own desire. When we face our Creator, He will judge us by the treasures that we hold in our hearts.