“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” (LK 12:35) In the discourse of scripture, there are various ‘idioms’ employed to convey a specific point or meaning, no less than the one above from today’s gospel reading. Though the use of idioms in our everyday parlance has changed or lessened; they are a meaningful way to communicate a specific opinion or point. Witness those ‘idioms’ employed in the New Testament: “Blind leading the blind.”(MT 15:14); “Turn the other cheek.”(MT 5:39); “Cast the first stone.”(JN 8:7); “The powers that be.”(Romans 13:1); “Salt of the earth.”(MT 5:13); and the well worn, “Good Samaritan.”(LK 10:30-37) Those biblical ‘idioms’ have survived the centuries and still communicate a specific point or understanding. How often have we conveyed a lack of confidence in the persons who have no sense of their endeavor as in, “The blind leading the blind.” Or commenting on a person who has performed a good deed: “She’s a Good Samaritan.” Retrieved and brought into conversation from different generations and cultures, there are hundreds of idioms commonly used to this day. Recall your parents telling you to “Mind your P’s and Q’s.” Or giving directions to someone, and pointing to a certain direction, “as the crow flies.” Or the teacher who confronts your lackadaisical attitude, “Get your ducks in a row.” And the many others employed in our everyday speech that brings a certain color or emphasis upon the shared conversation: “The best of both worlds,” “a piece of cake,” “let the cat out of the bag,” “under the weather,” “make hay while the sun shines,” and my personal favorite, “once in a blue moon.” An elementary teacher brought together the old and the new when she tasked her third graders to complete the second half of several popular idioms. With sincere effort and creativity, the class undertook this assignment; a few of the more ‘interesting’ attempts at improvising idioms: Don’t count your chickens. . . . “Count your cows.” The squeaky wheel. . . . “Has a mouse in it.” Don’t cry over. . . . “Babies that are annoying.” The grass is always greener. . . . “Than sand.” Rome wasn’t built in. . . . “Hawaii.” A rolling stone. . . . “Hurts you.” Many hands make. . . . “A big hand.” And the ‘idiom’ used by Christ Jesus to challenge his disciples concerning their distractions and wayward paths— “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be”—provides us with a reflection on the priorities guiding our daily intentions. St. Augustine reminds us, “Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure: where your treasure, there your heart; where your heart, there your happiness.” What are those treasures of faith that will guide our earthly journey with Light and Grace, and the eventual promise of eternal life? One treasure of our purpose and place in life, created in God’s image, is the path St. Paul exhorts upon the fledging church in Colossae: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive. . . .Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. . . .And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15). (As always, St. Paul “hit the nail on the head.”) With the proceeds from the Sacred Heart School Galas the past three years, our parish school building has received a much-needed ‘facelift’ into the future with the installation of energy-efficient windows. Their generous fundraising and direction not only provide a much-needed update to the building, but also lend dignity to the classrooms and offices for the teachers and students alike. Thank you for this gift to the future of Catholic education. God Bless, Fr. Tim FYI: “The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anybody has, is his personal dignity.” (Jackie Robinson)