Tag Archives: jealousy

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

JEALOUSY

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Monday 5th May – Monday of the 3rd week of Easter

Reflection: Acts 6:8-15

JEALOUSY

Jealousy is unconscious self-condemnation. We hate ourselves for not being as good or perfect as the other person. It is also an unconscious acknowledgement of the superiority of others. It is the tribute which mediocrity pays to genius. The jealous person always regards the good qualities of another as stolen from him. Instinctively the jealous persons know the good that others do, but they are jealous because they have not done it themselves; therefore, they seek to nullify it by saying it was no good at all.

Jealousy is a fire which the jealous person enkindles to his ruin without being aware of it. It is a neglect of divine identity and vocation. Jealousy destroys creativity, diversity and uniqueness, because the jealous person constantly neglect his God given wisdom and potentials, he neglects the means and opportunities available to him to become better. Rather, he looks for ways to pull others down, and by extension he ceases to grow himself.

Ways of overcoming jealousy is by appreciating sincerely the gifts and talents we see in others, praying for the one whom we are jealous and making the quality of this person an occasion for imitation, rather than envy.

God created each of us uniquely in His image and likeness, and not like any other person. Thus, we are unique, fearfully and wonderfully made. Let us celebrate our uniqueness and remember that we are in competition with no one. Rather, let us strive daily to be better than who we were yesterday.

Prayer: Lord let your divine love take possession of me and purify me of all forms of jealousy. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 357

Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. He is capable of self-knowledge, self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with others.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Wherever there is jealousy and ambition, you will also find discord and all that is evil. Instead, the wisdom that comes from above is pure and peace-loving.” James 3:16-17 CCB

Today’s Readings: Acts6:8-15, Psalm119: 23-30, John 6: 22-30

BEWARE OF JEALOUSY

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Thursday, 23rd January – Thursday of week 2 of the year

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