As one of the world’s greatest White Castle lovers, I can vouch for the truth of their current slogan: “The Crave is a Powerful Thing!” Even though I know they aren’t good for my health, my passion for sliders is powerful; I can’t help it. I also have a passion for other unhealthy foods, such as apple fritters, buttered popcorn, and Sanders’ Bumpy Cake. I am told that, in order to keep these passions from taking me too far, I need to eat more kale and spinach…and veggie burgers (oh my)!
In the second reading at Mass this weekend, St. James tells us that wars and conflicts come from the “passions” (sometimes translated as “cravings”) for things of this world. We covet, pray for, and pay for the wrong things, in addition to envying what others have: the latest toy, designer clothes, luxury cars and homes, a comfortable retirement plan, etc. In today’s Gospel, the disciples are envious and crave power. Jesus cautions them to be humble, like children.
We need to work hard, lest our passions take us too far away from God and his wisdom. We must crave the “things from above,” which, as St. James writes, are “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of hypocrisy or partiality.” All of these lead to peace rather than war and conflict. It is God’s will that we live in peace. Who doesn’t want to do that?
Each of us must find ways to do this. It may be helpful to pray for the needs of others rather than selfishly asking for our own, get involved in peace-making and social justice ministries, find our identity in being close to God—not our possessions, handle disputes with mercy and love, and look up to people who have godly wisdom rather than the rich and famous.
The Crave—for the things from above—should be a Powerful Thing!
