18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C

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FREEDOM FROM GREED





What is wrong with a person who wants a piece of his inheritance from his brother?  It is his legitimate right to enjoy what his parents left him as their patrimony.



What is wrong with a rich man constructing a bigger barn for his growing harvest? He does not want to waste his resources and just wants to invest for his future.



In the gospel today (Lk 12:13-21), the Lord Jesus detects something in these two men. He sees in their heart the presence of greed. Not only does first one want his piece of inheritance; he wants a bigger portion, in fact. Not only does the second one want a bigger barn; he wants to be satisfied only by his wealth.



Greed is the attitude that blinds us from seeing others because we only focus on ourselves. Many people are greedy for money, for possessions, for power.  Greed leads them to ignore others. Greed leads them to put their security not in God but in material possessions or earthly security.



There is an antidote to greed and Jesus modelled this attitude for us. And this is sensitivity to the other person. Jesus, Son of God, is entitled to the glory and power that belonged to him from all eternity. And yet, as a human being, his life revolved on service and presence, love and sacrifice, so that others may have reason to live.  Because of this sensitivity to others, the concern, generosity, self-giving, and kindness of Jesus flowed.



Thank you, Lord, for warning us against greed. In all things, lead us to look not to ourselves only, but to include the good of other people in our daily concerns and preoccupations.




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