Greed is not good
+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
12 Aug 2001
The story made a mighty impression on me, reinforced by the regular teachings of parents and nuns and brothers at school to think of others, to share, not to be greedy.
Few things in life are really important; once in a while we see this more clearly, e.g. After a health scare for ourself or a loved one, or a narrow escape. Then we can realise what we prize in our heart of hearts; that greed does not bring happiness because the greedy and the mean never have enough. Possessions cannot return our love.
My mother used to say that there are no pockets in a shroud; we cannot take our money or possessions with us into the next life, while the generation who inherits are often better at spending than making money, and sometimes quite expert at losing it.
a search for happiness in material things, especially when it leads to greed or envy, is bound to be disappointing. There is nothing wrong with working hard for a comfortable standard of living or to provide well for the family. The standard of living most enjoy in Australia is a blessing and a cause of admiration for many overseas. God's material creation is good and in the unlikely prospect that many of us lived as simply as Francis of Assisi our economy would collapse. But greed can creep up on us slowly and silently, so that with the passing years we seem to need more and more to feel secure. Do we regularly deceive ourselves by claiming that we would like to help but can't afford to at the moment? Every church and every charity will confirm that the best givers are not regularly the richest, although some of the rich are extremely generous.
The collapse of Communism has been accompanied by the triumph of market forces, which has raised our standards of living at the costs of fierce competition. In Australia the poor are not becoming poorer, but the gap between rich and poor is increasing; a few receive fabulous salaries and the middle class is being squeezed and reduced.
Many more people are insecure, uncertain about the future and many more are existing on a number of part-time jobs. But even those with little are not helped by greed and help themselves by giving from the little they have. Envy of those who are better off, can also make us mean and unhappy.
This economic struggle can harden our hearts to outsiders. Like the man who asked God to bless him and his wife; his son and his wife too. "We four and no more". So far this has not been the Australian way.
Christians believe that when anyone is helped, Christ himself is helped. That is why in one parish where many came for a hand-out, the housekeeper would ask the priest to help by announcing "St. Joseph is at the front door". Her theology was a bit muddled but she was heading in the right direction.
