November 8.    Bryan had discovered that it too easily happened that people who had been poor became quite obsessive about acquiring wealth.  Maurice shared, “Greed too easily leads to corruption and a loss of integrity. I realised the truth of the saying, ‘the love of money is the root of evil,’ not ‘money is the root of evil’ as is sometimes said.  While I was growing richer I very nearly lost my self-respect and compassion.  I’m pleased I was helped to discover that in time.  BEE in our country clearly has merits but how much corruption has grown out of that too.” “The COP 30 Climate Change conference is about shared care for all of creation. Why not join the Laudato Si Movement or Action Platform and pledge your concern.”

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  You cannot serve God and mammon. No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. Luke 16:9-15.   Pope Francis:  Do not fall into the terrible trap of thinking that life depends on money and that in comparison with money anything else is devoid of value or dignity. FM19.    Human beings are not completely autonomous. Our freedom fades when it is handed over to the blind forces of the unconscious, of immediate needs, self-interest and of voices.   We stand naked and exposed in the face of our ever-increasing power, lacking the wherewithal to control it.  LS 105.  Jubilee. All of us, however, need to recover the joy of living, since men and women, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26), cannot rest content with getting along one day at a time, settling for the here and now and seeking fulfilment in material realities alone. This leads to a narrow individualism and the loss of hope; it gives rise to a sadness that lodges in the heart and brings forth fruits of discontent and intolerance.SNC 9.    Act and Pray for compassionate concern for those suffering loss in their families. Examine your life to see what controls your thinking and action. Check out LAUDATO SI at COP 30