De Contemptu Mundi

In the early fifth century, St. Eucherius became famous across southeastern Gaul for his piety and asceticism. In this letter to his kinsman, Valerianus, Eucherius entreats Valerianus to give up his wealth, titles, and future in order to dedicate himself to God. The Saint argues that these worldly pleasures only work to distract the soul from its heavenly purpose. Instead, the faithful heed the words of Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff