Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
New research suggests that “evolution does not favor selfish people.” It is hard to believe that scholars do research about these things but yesterday, BBC reported in its headline news that “selfish traits were not favored by evolution.” This challenges a previous theory which suggested it was preferable to put yourself first for survival. This earlier research used a model of the prisoner's dilemma game. Two suspects who are interrogated in separate prison cells have to decide whether or not to inform on each other. Each prisoner was offered a deal for freedom if they inform on the other (defection), putting their opponent in jail for six months. If they kept silent (cooperation), they would both get a prison sentence of three months. Obviously, putting themselves first, they informed on each other. But the new research says that what was missing in the old research was communication between the two prisoners. On the contrary, when prisoners talked to each other, the new research suggests, the prisoners did not tell on each other but rather both agree to take on the punishment and remain silent. Research suggests that this behavior of cooperation is typical in the rest of nature (not with regard to the prison situation but that species cooperate even if it means taking a less desirable position). Researchers say that evolution works in favor on cooperation because otherwise nature would head into extinction.
Jesus words in today’s gospel takes on a whole new meaning in light of this research. Jesus tells us that greed will destroy us. But he goes beyond this one reason. He also suggests that if we are greedy, selfish and always put ourself first, then we stand to lose eternity itself. That is why he says: “Take care to guard against all greed…” St. Paul too in the second reading from the letter to the Colossians warns, “Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed that is idolatry.” The Webster dictionary defines greed as “excessive or rapacious desire for wealth, possessions etc.” Generally, we associate greed with material possessions. However, if greed is defined as “excessive desire,” then it can be applied to the list that St. Paul mentions - immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire.
In three points let me reflect a little deeper on the readings.
1.I want to draw the first practical implication from today’s first reading. Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! (Eccl 1:2). For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? (Eccl 2: 22). When Pope Francis was elected Pope not only did he come out to greet the people but he bowed before them and sought their blessing. Humility is the opposite of vanity. It also later emerged that even as a cardinal in Argentina, he refused more comfortable means of transport and used public transport for travel back and forth to work. Even after becoming the pope, he chose to reside in the more humble quarters rather than in more palatial papal residence. He is asking bishops and pastors to adopt a simpler lifestyle. And then, at the recent visit to Brazil he requested that a visit to the slum be part of his official tour. His message is simplicity. Simplicity along with humility is the opposite of vanity. The pope’s actions are more than just symbolic. One the one hand he is following Christ’s example and on the other, he is being counter-cultural.
I think the first reading is teaching that things unconnected to eternity are vanity. We know from common sense that the wealthiest, the most good-looking, and famous people have no advantage in eternity. Qoheleth wants us, in simplicity and humility, to keep our minds focused eternity. He is telling us that our real worth is in the eyes of God. And the greatest enemy of the eternal perspective is vanity.
2.Second, Paul calls greed, idolatry. In other words, greed is a violation of the first commandment. Let me explain the context of the story of the rich man in today’s gospel. In the Mosaic Law, there were very clear guidelines about what a person does with his/her harvest. Deut 26:1-3 stipulates that the first fruits of the harvest were to be offered at the temple. The greedy rich man in the gospel, on the other hand, after a good harvest says to himself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink and be merry!” He has forgotten God. St. Paul calls greed idolatry because greed makes us put other things or other people before God. In the Mosaic Law, there were also strict guidelines about how one should share his harvest with others. Having offered the first fruits at the temple, the farmer was to celebrate with all his family and the aliens in the land (Deut. 26:11). A careful reading of the words of the rich man in the gospel reading reveals the one and only relationship a greedy person is pre-occupied with – himself or herself. In that small passage, six times he uses the world pronoun ‘I’. (Read). The rich man forgets his family and the aliens. And that is what greed does – makes selfish, self-centered, self-pampering people out of us. And so Jesus says to the rich man, “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you.” Even modern research is telling us the same thing. In other words, it is foolish to put material objects before God and people.
3.So what shall we do? I thought the best way to answer the question would be to find out, what is the opposite of greed. And really, what is the opposite of greed? Surprisingly, there is no one word that captures the opposite of greed. The answer is a combination of three terms: detachment, contentment, and generosity. Let us take the letter of St. Paul as a guide for us to deal with greed. There are two parts to his reading. The first part deals with our relationship with God and the second part deals with our relationship with people. If we want to deal with greed, the best way to do that is to make sure that my desire for material things or God’s creatures does not equal or exceed my desire for God and God’s will. Paul says, “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above… Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” The second practical way to check greed is to make sure that none of my desires exceed the desire to do good. Detachment from material things , contentment with the gifts God has given us , and generosity toward God and neighbor – these are the antidotes to greed.
This Eucharist is a result of a generous God, who put us even before the life of his Son. As we worship him let us pray for a spirit of contentment, detachment and generosity toward God and our neighbor. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph