Galatians 5:1-6 / Luke 11:37-41
We came into this world with nothing, literally with nothing.
But along the way, we begin to desire and to possess things.
Some things are for basic needs, but it also cannot be denied that there are a lot of other things that we want to possess.
And so we get bloated with worldly possessions.
In the first reading, we are reminded that Christ saved us from our sins and freed us from our worldly desires.
But desires for worldly possessions come from within, from the heart.
We may lose all our worldly possessions overnight but the desire will still be there.
In the gospel, Jesus taught about cleaning the external as well as the internal.
And He said this, “Instead, give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.”
To give alms means to share our possessions and resources with those in need.
Genuine charity breaks the grip of greed, because what we desire to possess will eventually possess us.
Let us give alms to the needy, and Jesus will clean our hearts of sin and greed.