2nd Week of OT 2018 - Tuesday - Envy Kills

When David returned from slaying the giant Goliath, King Saul became jealous of his servant’s fame.  He allowed anger and resentment to shape his behavior, and he began to plot to kill David, the Lord’s anointed.  It’s not the first time we hear about envy in Scripture. In fact, it goes back to the very beginning.  Adam and Eve were envious of God, and so they ate of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in disobedience to God, and committed the first sin which would mark the race of man for all generations.

Cain was envious of his brother Abel. He let that envy turn to rage, and committed the first homicide and fratricide—murdering his brother.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to envy Our Lord’s authority. They refused to put their jealousy to death, and instead, they put God to death after brutally torturing Him.

Envy is listed as one of the deadly sins. It was the motive for the first murder and the worst murder. Archbishop Sheen states that, What rust is to iron, what moths are to wool, what termites are to wood, that envy is to the soul - the assassination of brotherly love.

John Vianney said, “I do not believe there is a more ugly and dangerous sin than envy because it is hidden and often covered by the attractive mantle of virtue or friendship…people will employ a hundred and one devices to conceal their envy from others.”

Envy says that if I can’t have it, you shouldn’t have it either. Cain didn’t have God’s favor, so Abel shouldn’t have it either. Saul didn’t have God’s favor, or the adulation of the people, David shouldn’t either. St Paul places envy among the works of the flesh and declares that “those who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God”

Envy often leads to explosions of rage, but I think it can just as easily lead to lives of quiet rage, and much misery. Envy has been called “the most joyless of the Seven Deadly Sins.” Envy causes us to be overly competitive and overly comparative. Achieving the object of our envy may bring a temporary pleasure, but that pleasure is fleeting and tainted and filled with regret.

In the first reading, it was the empathy of Johnathan which helped to asway the envy of Saul toward David. Johnathan, the true friend, stuck up for David, and it appeared to change Saul’s attitude. Calm, compassionate and rational thinking helps to cure the disease of envy. Generosity is especially the opposite of envy. Whereas envy brings only sorrow and pain, generosity is the seedbed of joy.

May we be delivered from all envious thoughts and pursuits, and may generosity and joy be spread among us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all members of the Church may live out their baptismal call with greater conviction and faithfulness.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

That the March for Life in Washington D.C. this Friday will help to transform our culture and inspire many to adhere to the Gospel of Life.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord