Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.

Jesus warns us to guard against all greed. This, of course, is easier said than done, but nonetheless we are all asked to undertake this herculean task. Greed comes in many forms. Sometimes our greed is so subtle it is difficult to recognize if we do not take a step back from life and ask God for help in becoming generous people. We all fall into the trap of greed. Sometimes we get upset with others for “wasting” our time. Other times we become so focused on achieving a goal or obtaining an object that we do not stop to ask ourselves what goods we are sacrificing in order to get these things. Perhaps we feel like we deserve to have something, but if we are truly honest with ourselves we are not entitled to anything. All the goods we have are gifts from God. We did not do anything to truly earn them. God is the source of our success and inspiration. So when we demand our “fair” share, we are letting the sin of greed talk through us. Instead, we should be thankful for what little we have and happily surprised when we receive other gifts from God. This is the difference between expectation and hope. Greed makes us expect success and possessions, while hope is always grateful for whatever God gives us.

Are we greedy in our dealings with God and others? Or do we always give thanks for even the littlest gifts God provides for us? Are we children of expectation or hope?

O Lord, guard us against all greed so that we might become rich in your spiritual gifts.

Amen.