What role does money play in your life? Is it a source of security, worry, comfort, pride, anxiety, power—perhaps all of the above?

Money is the root of all evil homilies, at least in the minds of many Catholics. Of the themes people most detest hearing about from the ambo, preaching that fingers the wallet rankles right up there with social justice and anything else that smacks of “politics in church.”

Thieves broke into the San Bernardino County Sexual Assault Services office late one night and stole six computers, a laptop, and other valuables.

The pianist Joyce Hatto had studied with several notable pianists and enjoyed a modest concert career. But after contracting cancer, she retired to her home in the mid-1970s. And there—apparently—her career took off. She began producing more than 100 recordings of piano playing at the highest level.

A Kansas City airport worker returned a lost cargo bag that had fallen out of an armored car and lay on the side of the road. It contained $266,000 in jewelry.

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Working for a just distribution of the fruits of the Earth and human labor is not mere philanthropy. It is a moral obligation.