The greatest treasure we can possess is God's Heart.

The greatest treasure we can possess is God's  Heart.
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The material possessions we have don't bring us real happiness,

but our life with or without them.

We may have possessions,

but our happiness does not depend on them.

We may have a big house with all material comforts.

If we are not attached to those comforts

we won't lose our happiness

even if we are deprived of the whole house

  with all its comforts.

This non-attachment to material things can come under two categories:

1.secular.

2.religious.

The non- attached persons under the first category are not attached to things

for no other ultimate aim except presonal happiness.

They are like people who drink milk just because they like milk.

Those under the second category are not attached to material things

because  they are attached to spiritual things.

They practice the  virtue of simplicity and perhaps even evangelical poverty.

They are like people who drink milk not because they like it

but because it is nutritious.

They are not attached to the world,

because they are attached to heaven.

They are also poor in spirit as material things don't attract them.

They are attracted by heaven.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs." (Matthew. 5:3)

The basic concept is that

whatever we think, 

speak, 

desire

and do

must be for God

and God alone.

Whether we  decide to use a thing or not to use it,

if the decision is made in the name of God

or for the love of God

it becomes a prayer

very pleasing to Him.

Simplicity asks us

to pursue God’s designs for our life

rather than our own.

When true detachment from worldly things

becomes a significant and constant aspect of our life

it does not end with us.

Rather, it allows God to create more space in our heart for Him

to move in

and  

to touch other people’s lives through us.

That is why the vow of poverty in religious communities is  so attractive.

By the vow of poverty we voluntarily detach ourselves from the use of many things

for the love of God and His greater glory.

If a religious uses a thing with the permission or as per the direction of his superior,

he does it as per the will of God.

Suppose we donate a thing to a religious,

he is bound to surrender it before his superior

and can use it only with his permission.

It shows that he cannot be attached to anything even  when he uses it.

It is called religious poverty,  accepted voluntarily.

What they are fully attached to is the will of our Heavenly Father.

Some religious
voluntarily relinquish their cell phones, access to the Internet, plethora of books, car, and home.

This renunciation is motivated by a truly generous spirit,

an unabashed longing to love God.

They are able to more fully live out their other vow of obedience to their superiors

because of the virtue of poverty.

Without owning much more than clothing and perhaps a few books,

they have the freedom to go on missions,

move to a new monasteries

or start an apostolate.

They are not bound by their possessions,

and because of this,

they are willing to freely give everything to God.

The biggest difference

between

secular detachment 

and

religious one

is that

in  the former,

people wrongly  believe

that  the highest end in life

is personal happiness and freedom;

in the latter,

people  accept the the fact

that owning less

and

living in a spirit of detachment

draws them nearer to God

so that He may be their only possession.

They want to possess worldly things less

only to possess God more.

As Catholics, our aim must always be

more for living for God

rather than for ourselves.

We should  seek His will above our own.

We should  ask Him

what He wants us to rid of,

  and to   detach from,

to enable us to live for Him.

Holiness does not  include earthly happiness,

but  our emptiness offered to God

with sincerity of intention to please Him.

He will fill us with the greatest treasure of all:

His Heart.

Lourdu Selvam.