Now, thirty years later, we are noticing. More and more of us in the U.S. now see that for three decades, our elected leaders have intentionally diverted income from the poor and middle class to flood the investment accounts of the richest one percent.

Until now, people hardly ever talked with their neighbors about this devastating redistribution of wealth. Until now, to mention “greed” was to break a taboo so strong that most of us did not name—or even see—the power of greed in shaping our social policies and human desires.

Now, thirty years later, we begin to understand that when greed takes hold of the human heart, it is a spiritual disaster. Perhaps we even become ready to hear, deep within, the most healing question Jesus ever spoke: “What does it profit you to gain the whole world, and lose your soul?”

We have this grace-drenched life as a gift. Together, in thankfulness, we can learn to live mindfully and lovingly. Jesus doesn’t want anybody to miss out on this.

Jesus tells of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness and goes searching for the one who has wandered off. Jesus wants us all to find joy together, including folks who are now known as the one percent.