Greed has many faces, not just one, as Jesus tells us to be on our guard against “all kinds” of greed. In today’s lesson, we see greed clothed in the abundance of possessions. This type of greed for possessions or materials is rather an easy one to detect. What’s more dangerous than this is the kind of greed that subtly hides deep inside our hearts. For example, it’s hard to pinpoint greed for constant recognition or honor.
It seems to me that greed is the seed of what’s known as the seven deadly sins though it is already included as one of the seven. (This version of greed in the seven deadly sins is limited to material wealth.) Pride is greed for recognition, fame, and honor that seeks to puff one’s self-worth out of insecurity. Lust is greed for sensual satisfaction that harms relationships. Envy is greed for taking what’s not our own in that not only the grass is greener on the other side but we also want to take it from others. Gluttony is greed for food. Wrath is the result of greed for total control over things and people in our lives. And lastly, sloth is greed for being apathetically free from any responsibilities that one is never committed to anything or anyone. We can see how greed is such a loaded concept that can bear the fruits of all kinds of unskillful behaviors and states of our minds. Greed in Greek is “pleonexia,” which might sound familiar to us if we compare it to the word “anorexia.” Pleonexia is about having more whereas anorexia is having nothing. What’s underneath this pleonexia or greed is craving itself, always hungry and thirsty for more. This craving is the driving force of all kinds of greed. In today’s lesson, someone in the crowd is fixated on the family inheritance that would just go to his older brother. He wants his portion and craves its fair distribution. This craving might have two sides. One is for material wealth, and perhaps the other for winning over his brother, which is much more complicated to unpack what has been going on in their seemingly competitive and envious relationship. We don’t have enough information to understand this person’s true intention yet his craving has shown itself as he asks Jesus to be a judge or an arbitrator over the family inheritance. Craving is there and he’s attached and fixated on this matter to the point where this hunger must be fed and this thirst must be quenched. This craving becomes a part of who he is. This identification created by craving is most common in how we identify ourselves with jobs or sometimes in the name of vocation. Let me become this example. Say, I have this craving for being someone who is respected and honored. There's a deep craving for social recognition. I thirst for honor and respect. This craving leads me to the path of priesthood. I’m attached to this identity as a priest and it becomes who I am. I cannot think of myself apart from this priesthood. This dog collar has become second nature to my neck. Wherever I am, even with my friends and family, this priest-identity remains the same. I’m holier and more honorable. I’m not only reverent but also the Reverend. We call this clericalism. In both examples, one from the gospel lesson and the other from my own, we see that once craving is activated, it seeks fuel to satisfy itself and creates a certain kind of self-identity. The danger of this craving leading to clinging and then to self-identity is that it lacks self-reflection and self-awareness. Rather it is filled with self. So this craving is both impulsive and compulsive. It’s impulsive because we often don’t recognize what kind of craving is driving us and follow cravings without considering the consequences. It’s also compulsive, we repeat this craving until it is fed. Is it possible for us to eliminate this craving? No. This craving is a part of our human nature. What we want to do with it is to train it. We direct and redirect our craving to be in the right place. We first recognize what we are craving. As we are all different, what we crave varies. Yet, craving itself is always there. Get to know what you are truly craving with honesty. There’s nothing to hide but in God’s loving presence, we take off our masks and see what kind of masks we’ve been wearing. Once we see what they are, our craving itself can be redirected to the kingdom of God. This redirection or the change of the heart requires faith in which we truly are convicted and compelled to believe that only in the kingdom of God this perpetual hunger or thirst can be fully satisfied. This is what Jesus may mean by being “rich toward God.” Friends in Christ, what are you thirsty and hungry for? Where do you find the fuel to feed yourself? Is it satisfying enough that you don’t need it anymore or is it more addictive? Only in the kingdom of God, only in the presence of God via silence, not only can we see our craving but also change that craving for something worthwhile, deathless, unconditional, and ever fulfilling. Isn’t this the good news? |
Paul"...life up your love to that cloud [of unknowing]...let God draw your love up to that cloud...through the help of his grace, to forget every other thing." Archives
January 2025
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