' Iiken him to a wise man who built his house on rock`. Matthew 7

I was once at an old friends funeral who during his life been an extremely rich and powerful man. It was a catholic funeral and we were filing past his open coffin when a voice behind me said ' Nicky boy do you see even one pesos that he's taking with him?' Of course we all know he was right no matter how much wealth we store up on earth we can't take it with us when we die. And yet of course as we look around us we see people slaving away feverishly for things which are by their very nature transitory like whisps of fog on a moor. It's the ultimate comedy as indeed for many wealth doesn't even last their lifetime it comes and goes before vanishing forever.

When bad times come where is our rock ? Nowhere because we have failed to invest in the one thing that does endure a gift that can be a treasure that lasts forever the love of God. The clues as so often are all around us . Music, the blossom of a flower, a great poem all have an intrinsic value that is far beyond the material . The test is easy do we ever get bored or dissatisfied with a flower ? But the clearest signpost is of course love time less unfailing and undying if there is a hell it is the place without love. The ultimate act of love was Christ crucified as it was of no material worth whatsoever save the love it demonstrated .His sacrifice should be the rock that we fasten to our lives as it is immutable and everlasting.