Col 3:1-11 / Luke 6:20-26 (2011)
We can't pretend and we also don't want to pretend that we are not interested in the material things of this world, especially luxuries like a nice big house, or big car, a big bank account, etc.
There is a material streak in us, and we also want to have the things that will give us some creature comfort.
We don't want to think that by 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, Jesus is teaching us a truth in 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 on the things of earth.
He even used the work "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 imprison 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 and good for nothing.