Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr

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.”

Greed is a deadly sin for a reason. It kills our sense of charity and selflessness and replaces it with a selfish desire to possess worldly things. The irony is that by seeking more possessions it is us who become possessed. We lose ourselves in our belongings. We want more and more and never are fulfilled. This is why it is so important to resist the temptations to greed. If we don't our lives will become nothing more than an accumulation of things. However, if we set our desires on God instead of the world, then we will grow in charity and heavenly treasures. We will build up a storehouse of merits and one day will be recognized as good and faithful servants who built up His Kingdom. So let us guard against all greed so that one day we will experience the true riches of being forever in our Lord and King's presence.

Are we greedy in any ways? If so, then how can we become more charitable with our time, talents, and treasures? What can we do to guard against the greed that seeks to possess us?

O Lord, help us to fend off greed and the empty possessions that seek to possess us.

Amen.