Colossians 3:1-11 / Luke 6:20-26 (2019)
Being Catholics, we can't pretend and we also don't want to pretend that we don't want the material things of this world, especially the luxury goods of this world, e.g. a nice big house, a big car, a big bank account, etc.
There is a materialistic streak in us, and we also want to have the things that will give us some creature comfort.
We certainly don't want to think that in believing in God, we will have to face poverty and hunger, or sorrow and distress.
On the contrary, we would want God to eliminate all sorrow and distress, and pain and suffering from our lives.
In the gospel, what Jesus is highlighting is the truth of life, and that is, over and above everything else, we must long for God and trust and depend on Him alone.
That is also what St. Paul was telling the Colossians in the 1st reading - that they have been brought back to the true life in Christ, and hence they must look for the things above and not be stuck with the things of earth.
He even used the word "kill" with reference to the evil desires and sinfulness of this world.
Yes, of all the people in this world, we Christians must put to death the things that imprisons us to this world and rise in order to live the life of Christ in us.
For in Christ we have everything; without Christ then all that we might have is as good as nothing.