Jordan Paul

Whoever has received from the divine bounty a large share of temporal blessings, whether they be external and material, or gifts of the mind, has received them for the purpose of using them for the perfecting of his own nature, and, at the same time, that he may employ them, as the steward of God’s providence, for the benefit of others.
—Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum

Friends,

We are currently in the midst of St. Michael’s Lent and, while it is not an official season of the Church nor a particularly popular devotion, it is getting there!

This is the period of fasting during the year where St. Francis received the stigmata, so naturally, it was mainly popular amongst Franciscans until being popularized in recent years by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, apps like Hallow, and programs like Exodus 90. There are different ways to participate but most agree on periods of fasting and abstinence similar to Lent.

If you do it through Hallow, like I am, there are also associated journal prompts for each of the 40 days, with each week focusing on a specific sin and its associated virtue. This week is greed and charity.

Although discussions often—and rightfully!—focus on money, it is not the only thing that we can be greedy for. Money does not define greed. Perhaps it’s power, honorifics, or control that we’re greedy for. Ultimately, greed is something that supplants God and grants some illusion of safety that ultimately cannot be found outside of God.

Despite that, it really does often come down to money. A couple of weeks ago, Justin Appel, reaching back to some of the earliest Church Fathers, wrote:

Jesus speaks clearly, and the teaching of church fathers like St. Basil the Great and St. John Chrysostom echo his teaching: that excessive wealth is an encumbrance that can prevent us from entering the kingdom of God. St. Basil goes so far as to suggest that the accumulation of great wealth equals a failure to love.

Greed’s corresponding virtue is charity. What can we do this week—and every week—to grow in charity and subdue greed?

In Christ,

—Jordan