Jesus speaks to us today about the danger of greed. It not only distorts the minds and lives of those who are greedy but also brings misery and suffering to those whom they exploit with their schemes. Those afflicted by greed are never satisfied. Like most sins it has a compulsive element to it that robs life of pleasure. The individual is enmeshed in the consequence of his or her own obsessions and is ultimately shown to worship a false God. St Paul tells us: "Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly... greed (which is idolatry)." (Col. 3: 5) Jesus is unequivocal: "You cannot serve God and wealth." (Lk. 16: 13) Greed, in turn, leads to death: "For the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6: 23). If we are slaves to greed our end is certain not only after after death but also in the here and now. Some people can even be said to be dead while they are alive. Just as narcotics can consume people and hollow them out so too can the desire for money and the possessions we can obtain with it bring desolation and sadness. How can I know satisfaction? How can I avoid the addiction of possessions and aspiration? The fourth of the Beatitudes taught by Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, promises: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Mtt 5: 6)
No comments:
Post a Comment