#F452 Terapia das Doenças Espirituais.09- -Avareza-

Summary

The video script delves into the spiritual disease of avarice, distinguishing it from other sins by its unique nature of desiring wealth without a natural bodily basis. It explores the disordered will behind avarice, contrasting it with the natural desires for food and sex, and emphasizes the spiritual battle against this vice. The script references theological perspectives, including Saint Thomas Aquinas and the Bible, to highlight the spiritual dangers of valuing material wealth over spiritual goals, and suggests that a healthy relationship with money involves recognizing it as a means, not an end.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The script begins with a prayer invoking the Holy Spirit for guidance and inspiration in actions done for Christ.
• 📚 The discussion is about the spiritual disease of 'avarice', which is an inordinate desire to possess material things.
• 🔗 Avarice is linked with gluttony and lust as one of the three basic spiritual diseases, but it stands out for lacking a natural human desire base like hunger or sexual desire.
• 💰 Avarice is rooted in the will, a rational and free inclination towards a perceived good, which is distinct from physical impulses.
• 📖 Saint Thomas Aquinas in 'Summa Theologica' considers avarice more spiritual than carnal because it is based on the delight of ownership, not physical pleasure.
• 🤔 The script emphasizes that the cure for avarice must be spiritual, contrasting with the physical aspects of combating gluttony and lust.
• 📘 Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Luke warns against the folly of hoarding wealth for oneself, highlighting the spiritual emptiness of materialism.
• 🏛 The script references 'Gollum' from 'The Lord of the Rings' as a metaphor for the spiritual peril of desiring material wealth above all else.
• 💡 Avarice is characterized as unnatural, foolish, and having a guise of ambiguity, often hiding behind the pursuit of pleasure, vanity, or security.
• 😞 It is noted that avarice leads to sadness and envy, as those who are overly attached to material wealth often become unhappy and envious of others.
• ✝️ The cure for avarice involves meditating on death and the impermanence of material possessions, as well as developing a healthy relationship with money and material things.

Q & A

What is the main theme discussed in the script?

The main theme discussed in the script is the spiritual disease of avarice, its nature, and its distinction from other spiritual diseases like gluttony and lust.

What is the script's definition of avarice?

Avarice is defined in the script as a disordered appetite or will for possessing things, particularly money, which has no natural basis in human desires.

How is avarice related to the concept of 'pleonexia' in Greek?

In Greek, 'pleonexia' means having more or being excessively greedy, which is used in the script to describe the desire for more than what is necessary or natural, particularly in the context of wealth.

What does the script say about the spiritual nature of avarice?

The script states that avarice is a spiritual disease because it involves a disordered will that seeks delight in material possessions rather than in spiritual or natural desires.

How does the script differentiate avarice from gluttony and lust?

While gluttony and lust have natural human desires as their basis, avarice is differentiated by its lack of a natural basis and its focus on material possessions rather than natural human needs.

What does the script suggest about the root of avarice?

The script suggests that the root of avarice lies in a disordered will that seeks to find delight and security in material possessions, rather than in spiritual fulfillment.

What is the script's reference to the 'Rich Fool' parable in the Gospel of Luke?

The 'Rich Fool' parable is used in the script to illustrate the folly of focusing on material wealth as a means of security and happiness, rather than on spiritual matters.

How does the script connect avarice to idolatry?

The script connects avarice to idolatry by stating that an avaricious person places their trust and worship in material wealth, treating it as an idol rather than trusting in God.

What are some characteristics of avarice mentioned in the script?

Some characteristics of avarice mentioned in the script include a lack of natural basis, being a form of folly, having a spiritual root, causing anxiety, and leading to sadness and envy.

What is the script's view on the relationship between avarice and faith?

The script suggests that avarice often stems from a lack of faith, as people who are avaricious tend to seek security and meaning in material wealth rather than in spiritual beliefs.

What advice does the script offer for overcoming avarice?

The script suggests that overcoming avarice involves developing a healthy relationship with material possessions, recognizing their role as means rather than ends, and focusing on spiritual growth and fulfillment.