Treasures of Our Faith with Deacon Richard Vehige

On Friday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of the prophet Jerimiah (30: 18---31: 9) entitled "The promise of Israel's restoration". Our treasure, which follows, is a sermon on the beatitudes by Saint Leo the Great, pope.

Saint Leo the Great (c. 400–461) was Pope from 440 to 461 and is one of only three popes honored with the title "the Great." A gifted theologian and courageous leader, he defended the true faith during a time of doctrinal controversy and political instability. His greatest contribution was clearly teaching that Jesus Christ is one divine Person with two complete natures, fully God and fully man. He is also remembered for strengthening the role of the papacy and, according to tradition, courageously persuading Attila the Hun not to attack Rome. Saint Leo is best known for his profound Christological teaching, his defense of the unity of the Church, and his eloquent sermons on the mysteries of Christ and the Christian life.

In his Sermon on the Beatitudes, St. Leo the Great explains Christ's teaching in Matthew 5:1–9 to show Christians the path to true happiness and holiness. He presents Jesus as the new Moses, who gives the interior law of the New Covenant to heal and transform the human soul. His primary teaching is that lasting happiness comes not from wealth, power, or worldly success, but from becoming like Christ: humble and detached from possessions, sorrowful for sin, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure of heart, and committed to peace. The Beatitudes therefore describe both the graces God gives us and the Christlike people He calls us to become.

Jeremiah was one of the great Old Testament prophets, called by God while still young to preach to the people of Judah during the turbulent decades leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile in 586 BC. His central teaching is that God desires more than outward religious practice—He wants our hearts: when His people turn away from Him and place their security in wealth, power, false gods, or human institutions, destruction follows, but God never abandons them; He continually calls them to repentance and promises forgiveness, restoration, and a transformed heart capable of truly knowing and loving Him.

Taken together, these readings teach that God restores and fills those who recognize their need for Him, place their trust in Him, and refuse to make earthly possessions or human strength their ultimate security. In today's "treasure" Jeremiah gives a suffering and exiled people God's promise that He will gather them, heal them, restore their community, and once again be their God; in the first reading, from his sermon on the Beatitudes, Leo the Great explains that being "poor in spirit" does not simply mean lacking material wealth, but possessing the humility and interior detachment that recognize everything as God's gift and place one's true treasure in Him. Together they teach that our deepest restoration begins when we surrender self-reliance and attachment, acknowledge our dependence upon God, and allow Him to become our greatest treasure; then even amid loss, suffering, or uncertainty, we can live with hope because God is faithfully leading His people toward the fullness of life and communion with Him.

Today, September 3, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor, we are invited to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of Sirach (39: 1-10), entitled "The wisdom of a man who is learned in the Scriptures". Our treasure, which follows, is from a homily on Ezekiel by Saint Gregory the Great, pope.

Saint Gregory the Great (c. 540–604) was a Roman monk, administrator, theologian, and pope from 590 until his death, remembered as one of the greatest pastoral leaders of the early Church and honored as both a saint and Doctor of the Church.

Saint Gregory's primary contribution to the teachings of the Catholic Church is his profound integration of sound doctrine with practical pastoral leadership, especially in shaping how the Church teaches, governs, and cares for souls. He emphasized that true Christian leadership is rooted in humility and service, most clearly expressed in his work Pastoral Rule, which became a foundational guide for bishops and clergy on how to shepherd their people with wisdom, compassion, and moral integrity.

The Book of Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus, is one of the Wisdom Books of the Old Testament. It was written around 180 B.C. by the Jewish sage Jesus ben Sirach in Jerusalem and was later translated into Greek by his grandson. The book was written to help God's people remain faithful to the covenant in a world increasingly influenced by pagan culture. It offers practical guidance for living a virtuous life, covering topics such as prayer, humility, friendship, family life, speech, work, wealth, and fear of the Lord.

The central teaching of today's "treasure" entitled "For Christ's Love I Do Not Spare Myself in Speaking of him" is that those entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel must faithfully speak God's truth out of love for Christ and for the people they serve, even when doing so is difficult, uncomfortable, or personally costly. Gregory reflects humbly on the enormous responsibility of being a pastor: he recognizes his own weaknesses and failures yet understands that a shepherd cannot remain silent when souls need guidance, correction, and encouragement. Like Ezekiel's watchman, the Christian minister must first listen to God's Word, strive to live it personally, and then courageously proclaim it—not seeking popularity or approval, but the salvation of those entrusted to his care. Gregory therefore teaches that authentic pastoral love is more than comforting and affirming people; sometimes love requires speaking challenging truths that call both the preacher and the listener to conversion, always with humility, charity, and a willingness to bear the personal cost of faithful witness to Christ.

The passage from Sirach 39:1–10 complements this teaching by showing that the person who prayerfully studies the Scriptures, meditates on God's wisdom, and lives according to His commandments becomes a source of blessing for others. Together, the readings remind us that holiness is formed when the mind is enlightened by God's Word and the heart is transformed by Christ's love. Those who seek both wisdom and love grow in intimacy with God, bear lasting spiritual fruit, and become faithful witnesses who reflect Christ in their words and actions.

Taken together, these readings teach that God's presence cannot be reduced to a building or outward religious observance; what ultimately matters is faithful communion with God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In Jeremiah 26:1–15, Jeremiah courageously warns that even the Jerusalem Temple will be destroyed if the people presume upon its holiness while refusing to repent and obey God; in Origen's commentary on John, Origen explains that when Jesus says, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," He reveals that His own Body is the true Temple, destroyed in His Passion and raised in the Resurrection. Together they teach that external religion, sacred places, and religious practices have meaning only insofar as they lead us into genuine conversion and union with God: Christ Himself is the true meeting place between God and humanity, and through union with Him we too are being formed into a holy dwelling place where God lives and acts.

On Tuesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of the prophet Jerimiah (20: 7-18) entitled "The prophet's anxieties". Our treasure, which follows, is from the Imitation of Christ.

The Imitation of Christ, a deeply spiritual book by Thomas à Kempis which speaks often of humility, suffering for Christ, prayer, purity, simplicity, wisdom, patience, meekness and other such virtues. Throughout the book, readers find themselves experiencing the peace and wisdom that has comforted believers from all corners of the world. This consoling guide show readers how better to live the life of a Christian by closely following Christ's example. The Imitation of Christ enables those seeking guidance during today's challenges to find encouragement to imitate Christ in many of life's situations.

Jeremiah was one of the great Old Testament prophets, called by God while still young to preach to the people of Judah during the turbulent decades leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile in 586 BC. His central teaching is that God desires more than outward religious practice—He wants our hearts: when His people turn away from Him and place their security in wealth, power, false gods, or human institutions, destruction follows, but God never abandons them; He continually calls them to repentance and promises forgiveness, restoration, and a transformed heart capable of truly knowing and loving Him.

Taken together, these readings teach that God's truth remains firm and trustworthy even when faithfully following it brings inner struggle, rejection, suffering, or discouragement. In our first reading Jeremiah reveals the painful interior cost of his prophetic calling: he feels mocked and overwhelmed and even wishes he could stop speaking, yet God's word becomes like a fire burning within his heart that he cannot contain. In our "treasure" today from The Imitation of Christ entitled "The Truth of the Lord Endures Forever," the disciple is reminded not to depend upon changing human opinions, feelings, praise, or opposition, but upon the enduring truth of God. Together they teach that faithfulness does not mean being free from fear, weariness, doubt, or anguish; it means continuing to listen to God and remain faithful to His truth even in the midst of them, trusting that our strength ultimately comes not from ourselves or the approval of others, but from the Lord whose truth and promises endure forever.

On Monday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of the prophet Jerimiah (19: 1-5, 10—20:6) entitled "A symbolic action: the broken flask". Our treasure, which follows, is from the Imitation of Christ.

The Imitation of Christ, a deeply spiritual book by Thomas à Kempis which speaks often of humility, suffering for Christ, prayer, purity, simplicity, wisdom, patience, meekness and other such virtues. Throughout the book, readers find themselves experiencing the peace and wisdom that has comforted believers from all corners of the world. This consoling guide show readers how better to live the life of a Christian by closely following Christ's example. The Imitation of Christ enables those seeking guidance during today's challenges to find encouragement to imitate Christ in many of life's situations.

Jeremiah was one of the great Old Testament prophets, called by God while still young to preach to the people of Judah during the turbulent decades leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile in 586 BC. His central teaching is that God desires more than outward religious practice—He wants our hearts: when His people turn away from Him and place their security in wealth, power, false gods, or human institutions, destruction follows, but God never abandons them; He continually calls them to repentance and promises forgiveness, restoration, and a transformed heart capable of truly knowing and loving Him.

Taken together, these readings teach that God's true messenger must faithfully speak the truth He gives, even when that truth is difficult, unpopular, or personally costly. In our "treasure" Jeremiah dramatically breaks a clay flask as a sign that persistent idolatry, injustice, and refusal to repent will bring judgment upon Jerusalem; when he is beaten and imprisoned for his message, he nevertheless continues to proclaim God's word. In our first reading from The Imitation of Christ entitled "I Taught My Prophets," Christ reminds the disciple that God Himself is the true teacher, speaking inwardly to the heart and giving a wisdom deeper than human learning alone can provide. Together, the readings teach that we must first listen humbly and attentively to God, allow His truth to convert our own hearts, and then have the courage to bear witness to that truth faithfully and lovingly, trusting God rather than seeking approval, comfort, or acceptance from the world.

On the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of the prophet Jerimiah (11: 18-20; 12: 1-13) entitled "A prophet speaks from the heart". Our treasure, which follows, is from a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop.

Saint Augustine is perhaps the most significant Christian thinker after St. Paul. He adapted Classical teaching and created a powerful theological system of lasting influence. He also shaped the practice of biblical exegesis and helped lay the foundation for much of medieval and modern Christian thought.

The legacy of Saint Augustine of Hippo is immense, shaping both Catholic theology and Western thought as a whole. He who showed that the journey to God is both deeply personal and firmly grounded in truth.

Saint Augustine is a preeminent Catholic Doctor of the Church. His most important teachings shape not only Western theology but the entire intellectual tradition of the Church. His thought deeply influenced later figures such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and remains foundational in Catholic doctrine. He died in 430.

Jeremiah was one of the great Old Testament prophets, called by God while still young to preach to the people of Judah during the turbulent decades leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile in 586 BC. His central teaching is that God desires more than outward religious practice—He wants our hearts: when His people turn away from Him and place their security in wealth, power, false gods, or human institutions, destruction follows, but God never abandons them; He continually calls them to repentance and promises forgiveness, restoration, and a transformed heart capable of truly knowing and loving Him.

Taken together, these two readings teach that the faithful servant of God may suffer precisely because he speaks and lives the truth, but he can entrust both his suffering and the final judgment of others entirely to God. In our first reading Jeremiah pours out his heart after discovering that people are plotting against him and struggles with the troubling question of why the wicked seem to prosper; yet he brings his anguish honestly before God rather than abandoning his prophetic mission. In our "treasure" today Saint Augustine points us to Christ, who took pity on fallen humanity by accepting suffering and death for our salvation and who teaches us how suffering can be endured in love rather than resentment. Together they teach that following Christ does not guarantee freedom from opposition, injustice, or suffering; rather, we are called to remain faithful, bring our wounded hearts honestly to God, resist the temptation to hatred or retaliation, and trust that God can use suffering endured in union with Christ to purify us, deepen our dependence upon Him, and ultimately lead us to eternal life.

Today, August 29, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of the Beheading of John the Baptist, Martyr, we are invited to first read and reflect on a passage from the second letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians (4: 7---5:8), entitled "The power of Christ is made manifest in our sufferings". Our treasure, which follows, is from a homily by Saint Bede the Venerable, priest.

The drunken oath of a king with a shallow sense of honor, a seductive dance and the hateful heart of a queen combined to bring about the martyrdom of John the Baptist. The greatest of prophets suffered the fate of so many Old Testament prophets before him: rejection and martyrdom. The "voice crying in the desert" did not hesitate to accuse the guilty, did not hesitate to speak the truth. But why? What possesses a man that he would give up his very life?

This great religious reformer was sent by God to prepare the people for the Messiah. His vocation was one of selfless giving. The only power that he claimed was the Spirit of Yahweh. "I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11).

Scripture tells us that many people followed Saint John the Baptist looking to him for hope, perhaps in anticipation of some great messianic power. John never allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. He knew his calling was one of preparation. When the time came, he led his disciples to Jesus: "The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God.' The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus" (John 1:35-37).

It is John the Baptist who has pointed the way to Christ. John's life and death were a giving over of self for God and other people. His simple style of life was one of complete detachment from earthly possessions. His heart was centered on God and the call that he heard from the Spirit of God speaking to his heart. Confident of God's grace, he had the courage to speak words of condemnation, repentance, and salvation.

Saint Bede the Venerable (c. 673–735), was an English Benedictine monk, priest, biblical scholar, teacher, and historian who spent nearly his entire life in monasteries in northern England devoted to prayer, study, teaching, and writing. Bede taught that serious study of Scripture must lead beyond knowledge to conversion, holiness, and deeper union with Christ. In 1899 he was declared a Doctor of the Church, recognizing the enduring value of his teaching for the universal Church.

Their primary teaching of the Letters of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians is that Christ must transform every dimension of Christian life. The letters teach that belonging to Christ is not merely a matter of belief; through the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to become a new creation whose faith is visible in unity, holiness, sacrificial love, generosity, and care for one another.

Our "treasure" today entitled "Precursor of Christ in Birth and Death" teaches that John the Baptist fulfilled his vocation as Christ's forerunner not only by announcing His coming and preparing the way for His ministry, but also by giving his life in faithful witness to the truth. John refused to remain silent about Herod's sinful marriage even when speaking the truth cost him his freedom and ultimately his life; thus, although he did not die explicitly for confessing Christ's name, he died for the truth, and Christ Himself is the Truth. Bede therefore presents John as a model of courageous discipleship, teaching that faithfulness to Christ requires more than believing the truth—we must be willing to live it, speak it with courage, and remain faithful to it even when doing so brings rejection, suffering, or personal sacrifice.

The important teaching of our first reading from Corinthians is that our human weakness and suffering do not mean that God has abandoned us; rather, they can become the very places where the power, life, and grace of Christ are most clearly revealed. Saint Paul describes us as fragile "earthen vessels" carrying the priceless treasure of Christ: we may be afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, but through God's grace we need not be crushed, driven to despair, abandoned, or destroyed. As we share in the dying of Jesus through suffering, self-denial, and the difficulties of discipleship, His risen life can become increasingly visible within us, while our present trials prepare us for an eternal glory far greater than anything we now endure. Paul therefore calls Christians to walk by faith rather than by sight, trusting that our earthly life is temporary and that our ultimate destiny is resurrection and eternal life with the Lord; suffering, when united with Christ in faith, can become not merely something endured but a means through which Christ transforms us and manifests His life in us.

Today, August 28, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Augustine, Bishop and Doctor, we are invited to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of Sirach (39: 4-10), entitled "The wisdom of a man who is learned in the Scriptures". Our treasure, which follows, is from the Confessions of Saint Augustine, Bishop.

Saint Augustine is perhaps the most significant Christian thinker after St. Paul. He adapted Classical teaching and created a powerful theological system of lasting influence. He also shaped the practice of biblical exegesis and helped lay the foundation for much of medieval and modern Christian thought.

The legacy of Saint Augustine of Hippo is immense, shaping both Catholic theology and Western thought as a whole. He is best known for his profound writings—especially Confessions and City of God—which explore the human heart's restless search for God, the reality of sin and grace, and the meaning of history. In short, his legacy is that of a master teacher who showed that the journey to God is both deeply personal and firmly grounded in truth.

The son of Monica, a holy Christian, and Patricius, a pagan, Augustine was born in 354 in Tagaste (current day Algeria). He was educated in the best secular schools of his day. As a young man, he led a distinctly non-Christian and immoral life. He lived with a young woman without the benefit of marriage. Together they had a son, Adeodatus. The young Augustine was continually searching with a restless heart for meaning in life. Each time that he would be attracted to a particular philosophy or group, he would become disillusioned the more familiar he became with its thought.

Finally, he found Jesus Christ, and at last was satisfied. Shortly after his baptism as a Christian in 387, Augustine returned to Tagaste. At the insistence of the Christians of Hippo, Augustine was ordained a Priest in 391, and Bishop of Hippo in 395. Unwilling to give up his community life, he called the clergy of Hippo to form a community with him. As Bishop, Augustine ministered to the spiritual and material needs of his people.

He wrote extensively. We have today a vast collection of his writing--113 books, 207 letters and more than 500 sermons. His most famous works are The Confessions, City of God and The Trinity. He contributed magnificently to the development of sound theology and was influential in combatting theological errors.

Saint Augustine is a preeminent Catholic Doctor of the Church. His most important teachings shape not only Western theology but the entire intellectual tradition of the Church. His thought deeply influenced later figures such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and remains foundational in Catholic doctrine. He died in 430.

The Confessions is the spiritual autobiography of Saint Augustine of Hippo, written around A.D. 397–401, in which he recounts his restless search for truth, his conversion to Christianity, and his deepening relationship with God. The Confessions teaches that salvation is entirely the work of God's grace, inviting every person to repentance, humility, and a lifelong journey toward intimate union with Christ.

The Book of Sirach was written to help God's people remain faithful to the covenant in a world increasingly influenced by pagan culture. It offers practical guidance for living a virtuous life, covering topics such as prayer, humility, friendship, family life, speech, work, wealth, and fear of the Lord.

Taken together, these two readings teach that true wisdom is not merely knowing about God but encountering Him personally and allowing His truth and love to transform our lives. In the Confessions, our "treasure" today, Saint Augustine recognizes that God is the eternal Truth, true Love, and lasting fulfillment he had long sought mistakenly among created things; in the reading from Sirach, the truly wise person prayerfully studies Scripture, seeks God with humility, and receives wisdom as a gift of the Holy Spirit so that it may bear fruit for others. Together they teach that Scripture and prayer are meant to lead us beyond knowledge to encounter as we seek God sincerely, His Word awakens our desire for Him, forms and transforms our hearts, and gives us wisdom that should become visible in the way we live and serve others.

Today, August 27, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Monica, we are invited to first read and reflect on a passage from the first letter of the apostle Peter (3: 1-6, 8-17) entitled "Praise Christ in your hearts". Our treasure, which follows, is from the Confessions of Saint Augustine, Bishop.

Saint Monica (c. 331–387) was a Christian wife and mother from North Africa, best known as the mother of Augustine of Hippo, whose conversion she sought through many years of persistent prayer, patient love, and faithful example. Monica is honored as a saint because of her extraordinary perseverance in prayer, unwavering trust in God's grace, patience in suffering, forgiveness, humility, and steadfast love for her family. She is especially admired as a model for parents and others who pray for loved ones who have wandered from the faith, teaching through her life that we cannot manufacture another person's conversion, but we can love faithfully, pray persistently, give holy example, and trust patiently that God continues to work within the human heart even when we cannot yet see the results.

The legacy of Saint Augustine of Hippo is immense, shaping both Catholic theology and Western thought as a whole. He is best known for his profound writings—especially Confessions and City of God—which explore the human heart's restless search for God, the reality of sin and grace, and the meaning of history. In short, his legacy is that of a master teacher who showed that the journey to God is both deeply personal and firmly grounded in truth.

Saint Augustine is a preeminent Catholic Doctor of the Church. His most important teachings shape not only Western theology but the entire intellectual tradition of the Church. His thought deeply influenced later figures such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and remains foundational in Catholic doctrine. He died in 430.

The Confessions of Saint Augustine is a spiritual classic and one of the books most read, written by a saint. In the Confessions, Saint Augustine not only shares his deep insights into the faith of the Church, he also does so in a very personal way. His masterpiece has also proven to become a foundation for many teachings of the Catholic Church.

The central teaching of the First Letter of Saint Peter is that Christians, as "sojourners and exiles" in the world, are called to live in steadfast hope, holiness, and faithful endurance amid suffering by keeping their eyes fixed on the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Taken together, today's two readings teach that the Christian heart must be centered on Christ and directed toward the eternal life found in God rather than the passing things of this world. In our "treasure" Saint Augustine recalls his profound conversation with his mother, Monica, at Ostia, where together they momentarily rise in contemplation beyond earthly pleasures toward the eternal Wisdom that is God Himself; in our first reading today, from his first letter, Peter shows how that interior union with Christ must shape everyday life through humility, compassion, purity, peacefulness, good conduct, and patient endurance of suffering. Together they teach that our ultimate destiny is eternal union with God, but the journey toward that union begins now by placing Christ at the center of our hearts and allowing that relationship to transform how we think, love, suffer, and treat one another.

On Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to first read and reflect on a passage from the book of the prophet Jerimiah (2;1-13, 20-25) entitled "The infidelity of God's people". Our treasure, which follows, is from an instruction by Saint Columban. abbot.

Saint Columban was a 6th century Irish monk, missionary, abbot, and spiritual writer who left Ireland with fellow monks to evangelize and renew Christian life across what is now France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. His principal contribution to Catholic spirituality was his strong emphasis on continual conversion, repentance, disciplined prayer, asceticism, obedience, Scripture, and complete surrender to Christ. His enduring message is that the Christian life is a lifelong pilgrimage of conversion in which we progressively surrender ourselves to God so that Christ may transform us and work through us for the salvation and renewal of others.

Jeremiah was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament, called by God around 600 years before the birth of Christ. God called Jeremiah while he was still a young man and sent him to warn the people that unless they repented, Jerusalem and its Temple would be destroyed. Because his message was unpopular, he was often rejected, mocked, imprisoned, and persecuted. For this reason, he is sometimes called the "Weeping Prophet" because of his deep sorrow for the suffering and spiritual blindness of his people. Jeremiah teaches us the importance of faithfulness to God's call, perseverance in the face of opposition, and trust in God's plan even during times of suffering and uncertainty.

Today's "treasure" entitled "Whoever thirsts, let him come to me and drink his fill," teaches that Jesus Christ alone can satisfy the deepest thirst of the human heart for life, love, truth, and eternal happiness. Saint Columban urges us to recognize our spiritual thirst and continually approach Christ, the fountain of living water, with faith and an intense desire to receive what only He can give; the more deeply we drink of His grace, the more our desire for Him grows rather than diminishes. This living water is ultimately the life of God poured into us through Christ and the Holy Spirit, cleansing, renewing, and transforming us from within until Christ becomes the deepest treasure of our hearts. The essential message is that we should never become satisfied with a superficial relationship with God but continually thirst for deeper union with Christ, allowing His grace to fill and transform us until His life overflows from us in love and service to others.

The central teaching of our first reading from Jeremiah is that sin is fundamentally the tragedy of abandoning the God who alone can satisfy the human heart and seeking life and security in things that cannot give them. Through Jeremiah, God recalls Israel's earlier devotion but grieves that His people have turned from Him toward idols, despite everything He has done for them, committing what He calls a twofold evil: "They have forsaken me, the source of living waters; they have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water." Their idolatry therefore represents more than breaking a commandment—it is a disordered attachment in which created things are preferred to the Creator. The passage calls God's people to recognize their spiritual thirst, abandon the false treasures that can never satisfy it, and return wholeheartedly to the Lord, the only true source of life, fulfillment, and lasting happiness.