In the life of St. John the Almoner we read a story of two shoemakers who lived in Alexandria. One of these men had a wife and a large family to support, yet he went to Mass every day; and God so blessed his industry that although he was very poor at first he soon had a flourishing business. The other was married, but had no children; he worked early and late, never going to Mass except on Sundays, and yet he could scarcely earn a living. Unable to understand how it was that his neighbour got on so much better than he did, he one day went to him and asked how it was that he, who had a wife and a number of children, was so well off, whilst he himself, who worked more hours a day, and had no family, found it more and more difficult to keep the wolf from the door. The other man replied: "I have discovered a hidden treasure, and every day I go to draw something from it. That is why I get richer day by day". "My good fellow," his neighbour rejoined, "do show me where the treasure is, and let me, too, fill my pockets from it". "Very well," the pious cobbler said, "come to me early tomorrow morning and I will show you the place where lies hid so great a treasure that it is enough to enrich the whole town".

The next morning the poor man made his appearance betimes, delighted at the idea of having the secret disclosed to him. But his neighbour only took him to Mass with him; the following day he did the same, and also the day after. At last the poor man lost his temper, and said: "I know the way to church without your guidance, and I have been to Mass ever since I was a child; if you do not intend to show me the treasure you spoke of, you need not make a fool of me". The other answered gently: "Do not be angry with me, I have not been making a fool of you, for I have really shown you the place where I find my riches. It is none other than the church, and the treasure itself is Holy Mass; hence come my gains, this is why we never know what it is to want bread. Do as I do, and doubtless God will do the same for you".

"Remember the words of our Divine Lord: 'Seek you first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.' From the time of my marriage I have sought the kingdom of God by hearing Mass daily; and I can truly say that all these things, that is, the supply of my temporal needs, have been given to me by God. You, on the contrary, have neglected Our Lord's salutary counsel, and have preferred your work to the service of God; consequently your temporal wants have not been supplied, and you have been left in poverty."

These words had the desired effect; the other shoemaker saw that he had been negligent in serving God; from that day forth he made it his habit to go to Mass, and found that the divine blessing was no longer withheld from him. The pious cobbler was right in calling Holy Mass a treasure; it is indeed a treasure, one of which it may be said: "It is an infinite treasure to men, which they that use become the friends of God" (Wis. 7:14). It is a mine of gold out of which riches may be dug for time and for eternity. For he who hears Mass in a state of grace will share in the merits of Christ, and these are truly nuggets of celestial gold. Without God's aid no progress is made. Let them toil as they may, unless the divine blessing rests upon their labours they will meet with no success. Now there is no better means of obtaining an abundant blessing from God than Holy Mass.