Greed

Today’s Gospel Text:  When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus; 24 so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks." 25 So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night.  31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; 32 if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.' 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward." 37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." 38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times. JN 13:21-33, 36-38

Reflection: The first commandment is a very serious issue and any breaking of the first commandment makes that sin a serious one too.

Many of the curses, poverty, divisions in families, untoward deaths and evil running in families are on account of the curse of breaking God’s first commandment and not living up to the call of God to be faithful to him alone and to all that he has given us in Christ Jesus.

This issue becomes all the more serious for the New Testament Christians, who have the complete revelation of God in Christ Jesus.

How could Christians be breaking the first commandment of God in the New Testament faith that we have received from Jesus?

We should have learnt this from the example of Judas and his betrayal of Jesus and the consequence thereof. 

By betraying Jesus Judas was completely rejecting God in Christ Jesus who came to save us and without him and apart from him we cannot save ourselves. (cfr. Jn. 15:5)

Hence all other sins are secondary in comparison to the sin of denial or betrayal which ultimately leads us into a greater stalemate in our life. It is so because we are rejecting the very source that can help us overcome or save us from our sinfulness.

Though, in reality, the other sins can lead us to this low level of denying or betraying Jesus. And the sin that leads us to that state becomes another example of breaking the first commandment of God.

Greed or wanting more than what we need; a lust for worldly gain whether it be for wealth or power or positions also amounts to breaking of God’s first commandment: “Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).”  Col 3:5

Prayer: Lord, reveal to me the areas of greed that I may purge it from me with your help.

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