The importance of Checking ones greed

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 29th Week :Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 12:13-21*

*First Reading : Rom 4:20-25*

*The importance of Checking ones greed*

*1) Gospel on the evils of Greed*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the evils of greed 

Greed is a desire for more food, money, power, etc. than you really need

Greed is one of the seven capital sins which destroy our life 

Therefore Jesus tells us to be aware of the evils of greed 

*2) The various faces of Greed*

The Gospel of the day lists out the various faces of the evils of greed. They are the following 

*A) Greed makes a person to think only about the self*

This is one of characteristics of greed. The rich person in today's Gospel asks *What shall I do for I do not have space to store my harvest?*

*B) Greed makes a person to do useless work*

The person destroys the existing store house and builds once again 

Instead of this, he could have built new store leaving the existing ones. This is what the greedy person does 

*C) Greedy persons life centers around the material things*

The desire of the flesh and satisfying the desires of flesh is the main aim of the greedy person 

Their Philosophy is, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’

*D) Greedy person believes in storing and not in giving*

Greedy person thinks life depends on the things stored up for the daily use. *More things, more life* this philosophy rules the life 

*E) Greedy persons are fools in the sight of God*

The greedy person of the Gospel is addressed as fool by God 

Greed makes a person fool and not wise

*3) Greed does not allow the person to enjoy the life*

Greedy person always thinks of getting and possessing more and more 

In this race he/she forgets to find meaning in life. The present moment is always forgotten and always future is thought about 

As a result life becomes a meaningless exercise 

*4) Nothing can be taken with us*

At the end of life, nothing can be taken with us 

God clearly says about this fact *You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’*

*5) Check your greed*

In today's Gospel Jesus tells all of us to check the aspect of greed in our life 

When a person desires more than what is really needed, then one becomes the greedy person 

Since greed destroys our life, we need to destroy the greed, before it destroys our life 

Life lived in greed has no meaning at all 

Self control and self discipline is the best ways to control and check the greed

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*