The Sin of Greed
To all,
In our Gospel reading for Sunday (Matthew 21:33-43), Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who leased a vineyard to some tenants who would give him the produce at the proper time. But the tenants refuse to give the produce they were supposed to give. In fact, they didn’t simply refuse, they beat and killed the servants who were sent to obtain the produce. The landowner decided to send his son, thinking that such violence would not happen to him,
But the tenants see this is an opportunity to gain the vineyard for themselves. They plan to kill the son. A footnote in the New American Bible explains their rationale. If the landowner died without an heir, the property in this case would go to the tenants. So, the tenants kill the son. Then Jesus asks His listeners what would happen when the landowner comes. They respond that the tenants would be killed, and other tenants who would do the proper thing would replace them. Then Jesus says to them, “Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
As I reflected on this parable, it seemed to me that the motivation of the tenants to do such evil was greed.
We may not be motivated to do such violence because of greed, but I wonder if greed can lead us to complacency or even indifference.
Let me try to explain.
Suppose the war in Iran ended tomorrow. Suppose gas and grocery prices would quickly come down to where they were before or even further. The economy would be good, right? But suppose also that immigrants were still being brutalized. Those considered “other” would still be demonized and dehumanized. Some people would still be experiencing prejudice and discrimination. Programs aimed at working for justice, as well as attempts at protecting the environment were considered unnecessary and therefore eliminated. Programs to help the poor here and elsewhere were still being cut. Would all this be okay as long as the economy was good for most of us?
I think that is the challenge for us. Does my comfort override any other concern? Greed is a most insidious sin.
Perhaps we can turn to St. Paul in our second reading (Philippians 4:6-9):
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus…if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.”
What Paul passed on he received from Christ. May greed not lead us to indifference about the suffering of others. May the love of God in Jesus Christ lead us to work for justice and peace and bear good fruit.
I welcome any comments or questions. Thanks for your time.
In Christ,
Phil, CP
