There are certain people that are consumed by jealousy and anger when they see others progressing or doing well in their field of work. Some may allow slander, gossip and incite quarrel seeing others record success. In the homily of Pope Francis on the 23rd of January, 2014 he warned against the dangers of envy, explaining that it is a sin which fosters bitterness against our brothers and sisters, stifles our joy and inhibits us from truly praising God. When someone in any Christian community suffers from jealousy, the community ends up divided: one against the other”.
He further emphasised that “jealousy is a strong poison – a poison that we find on the first page of the Bible in the character of Cain.” Just like the “worm of jealousy and envy” that seeped into the heart of Cain when he killed his brother Abel, if we do not curb our jealousy, the temptation to kill will follow. Both the First and Gospel readings of today’s liturgy condemns this ugly attitude of jealousy. In the First reading Moses the servant of God condemns and did not give in to the envious report and jealous word of the unnamed young man and Joshua. In today’s Gospel passage from St Mark, Jesus explicitly condemns the jealousy of his disciples who saw a man casting out demons in His name.
He said to them “do not forbid him; for no one who does mighty work in my name will be able to speak evil of me, for he that is not against us is for us”. In a more succinct way Jesus also communicates to us whatever that will plunge or cause us to sin we should try and cut it off. It is very obvious that the zealous comment of Joshua and the Apostles of Christ in today’s readings are borne out of jealousy. Dear people of God, being zealous for Jesus and His work is appreciated by the virtue of tolerance rather than jealousy. Let us conceive the truth that blessings, gift, talents and favours are from God and he can give to anyone he wills. It is evident that the gift of our time, treasure and talent that we possess comes from the Lord. If this is the reality of life, why are some getting jealous because God has given a particular gift or favour to someone.
Envy and jealousy should not be a pattern of life for those who align themselves as members of the Christian community. Jealousy is a poison that kills unity and love, a seed that sows wickedness and malice, a spiritual virus that spreads rumours and a vice that destabilizes the growth of the Christian community. The main lesson therefore is that we should have a heart of tolerance with others. What makes our following God’s will meritoriously and salvific is only if we do it with a heart of love and unity. This is the message that Jesus gives us in the Gospel.
This is what makes our virtue real and deeper. Our act of worship, evangelization and relationship must be in line with God’s plan as demonstrated by Christ. We are called to a deeper understanding and experience of following God in peace and love. That is why the Responsorial Psalm tells us that “the precepts of the Lord are right, and they gladden the heart. We need interior conviction and commitment that God’s ways are right in themselves and deserve to be obeyed because its aim is to ensure our well-being as family of God’s people and promote the Kingdom of God on earth. Dear people of God, Jealousy, unhealthy rivalry, gossip, slander, backbiting, segregation and other vices should not be seen nor practiced in the community of God’s people because God has given each and everyone of us various gifts to the glory of his name and betterment of mankind.
St John Vianney once stated that “Envy and jealousy is a sadness which we feel on account of the good that happens to our neighbour”. The feeling of envy and jealousy arises out of an inadequate understanding of the self, others and God’s purpose for us. God is so generous and kind to his people, and as such we need to encourage one another to develop whatever good gift that God has given us. Scripture tells us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). Let us understand that the Church is Holy, Apostolic, Universal and One.
As such, we must continue to pray that our individual and collective gifts are treasured and used for expanding the kingdom of God on earth. We must try to tolerate ourselves in peace and avoid bitterness of the heart. Late Rev Fr. Prof. Pantaleon Iroegbu will always say “help and don’t hinder”. We pray that our Christian community will not be hindered from growing due to jealousy, but cooperate with the grace of God’s love, tolerate one another in humility and help ourselves to grow in charity through Christ our Lord. Amen.
