Tag Archives: capital sin

BEWARE OF JEALOUSY

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Thursday 21st January – Memorial of St Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Reflection: 1 Samuel 18: 6-9, 19: 1-7

BEWARE OF JEALOUSY

Dear friends, as we continue our reading about David, we are confronted with a surprising reaction to the victory God won through him for Israel. At the time David killed Goliath, Saul was king over Israel. One would expect that as king, Saul would be the happiest person in the nation since God had miraculously led them to defeat the Philistines who had been making war with them for a while.

Unfortunately, although Saul was initially happy with this victory but his happiness turned sour when he heard the women sing; “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” From that point on, Saul grew jealous of David and though he knew God’s hand was upon David, he sought to kill him by all means. Dear friends, before we are quick to condemn King Saul, let us look into our own lives. Are there ways we have allowed the evil spirit of jealousy to envelope us and control our behavior and actions towards others?

As young people, we desire all the good things of life. We desire beauty, fame, the best clothes and accessories, the latest electronic gadgets etc. In as much as we desire these good things, we must not allow ourselves to become envious of our friends or colleagues who have them when we do not. Envy is a capital sin which opens the door to more grievous sins and shuts a person up from God’s blessings. A tiny wave of jealousy rising in the heart of a man can eventually lead to slander, murder, theft etc. Friends, rejoice with others in successes and achievements and God will open the door of blessings unto you.

PRAYER: Lord, I ask for your forgiveness for the times I have been jealous of other people’s blessings, talents and successes. Please remove every seed of jealousy in my heart and fill me with the love that comes from you. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 318 – What are vices?

Vices are negative habits that deaden and dull the conscience, incline a person to evil, and habitually prepare him for sin. Human vices are found in connection with the capital sins of pride, avarice, envy, anger, lust, gluttony, and sloth (or acedia, spiritual boredom).

 

HIDE A TREASURE: “So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander” 1 Peter 2:1 RSV-CE

Readings for today: 1Samuel 18: 6-9, 19: 1-7; Psalm 56: 2-3, 9-14; Mark 3: 7-12

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AVOID JEALOUSY!

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Monday, 16th February – Monday of week 6 of the year

Reflection: Genesis 4: 1-15, 25

AVOID JEALOUSY!

Jealousy refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something of great personal value, particularly in reference to a human connection. It is an unconscious self-condemnation as well as an acknowledgement of the superiority of others. “Jealousy is the tribute which mediocrity pays to genius.” (Venerable Fulton Sheen). Instinctively the jealous persons knows the good that others do, but they are jealous because they have not done it themselves and therefore, seek to nullify it.

Cain resented Abel because his own offerings were not accepted and he became jealous of the good Abel did in offering what was best to God. Jealousy can take many forms; being jealous of the academic success of others; their body shape, friends, possessions, achievements etc. jealousy arises when we try to compete with others, failing to celebrate our uniqueness. It denies one of recognizing opportunities to be a better person and as such, is a self-consuming fire that the jealous one prepares for his/her own destruction. Envy is a capital sin that opens the door for more deadly sins just as it did for Cain.

Dear friend, always remember that you are in competition with no one. Aim instead to become better than you were yesterday. In addition to praying about this vice, here are some ways to overcome it:
1. Praying for the one of whom you are jealous.
2. Imitate the good qualities others possess rather than envying them.
3. Learn to rejoice with other and appreciate the good in them and you will find that there’s a lot of good in you too.

PRAYER: Lord, please remove from me all forms of jealousy and help me to sincerely appreciate your goodness in others and also to recognize the uniqueness of my being. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 318 – What are vices?
Vices are negative habits that deaden and dull the conscience, incline a person to evil, and habitually prepare him for sin. Human vices are found in connection with the capital sins of pride, avarice, envy, anger, lust, gluttony, and sloth (or acedia, spiritual boredom).

HIDE A TREASURE: “Therefore I say to you: walk according to the Spirit and do not give way to the desires of the flesh” Galatians 5:16 CCB

Today’s Readings: Genesis 4:1-15, 25, Psalm 50:1,8, 16-17, 20-21, Mark 8:11-13