JEALOUSY AND ENVY

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, B, is, “Jealousy and Envy!”

They are two demons - two nasties - two energies - that can de-energize or drain us.

Today’s readings triggered for me this theme of “Jealousy and Envy.”

Looking at “Jealousy and Envy” can be like taking a shovel or a crowbar to force ourselves to look at what’s underneath our exterior - looking at out motives and what we think and talk to ourselves about - especially about stuff and others. It could be like looking under a rock that covers some yucky hidden stuff underneath. We have all opened up a napkin or a garbage bag and uncovered or discovered “ooooh” and ugly underneath.

Yet who wants on a beautiful Sunday to look at worms and ugly crawly things like jealousy and envy?

JEALOUSY AND ENVY

We know what jealous and envy are. We use the words all the time - but how do we put what they are into words?

Jealousy has to do with not wanting to lose what we have and envy is wanting what we don’t have and someone else has it.

Jealousy has to do with me and my stuff. Envy has to do with you and your stuff.

Jealousy has to do with what I have. Envy has to do with what you have.

However, the two words are mixed up or combined at times - because both are often happening at the same time. In fact, in Buddhism both are combined perhaps for that reason. The Sanskrit word that is used is, “IRSHYA”.

The Sanskrit word, “IRSHYA” means being or becoming upset or agitated because compared to ourselves we see others who are rich or talented. Then we notice they are noticed or praised.

We’d like some of that - and at the same time we’re worried about losing what we already have. 

So if you mix up these words - “Jealousy and Envy” or intertwine them - you’re not the only one. Most people do - and most people in their gut know what jealous and envy are all about - because they get us in the gut.

I still like the classic distinction of the difference between these two demons.

Jealousy: I’m worried about losing what I have.

Envy: I want what I don’t have and that itches and scratches my soul.

TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s second reading from James is marbled with the sin of jealousy - the holding onto - the me, me, me of possessions - and how they can possess us. It’s the last of 5 tough readings from James. He has some strong words about becoming fat with stuff - riches - wealth - treasure - position -  how they can devour us - as well as how unfair wages for those who work for us - can kill - not just us - but them. James uses the word “murder.”

In today’s first reading and gospel we get into the sin of envy. In the first reading a young man comes to Moses to complain that two men, with the great names of Eldad and Medad, are prophesying in the camp. Joshua - an aide to Moses’ since he was young - complains. I can hear him expecting Moses to agree with him and complain as well.  Moses answers, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!”

Moses named it. Joshua seems to have been scared to lose some of his prestige and power - being close to Moses. Surprise!  Moses is bigger than Joshua - and is not worried about being overshadowed.

The same sort of situation happens in today’s gospel reading. John complains to Jesus that he saw someone driving out demons in Jesus’ name. He says that we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.

Jesus basically says, “Cool it. Celebrate that others are doing good deeds.”

Jesus is often trying to get his disciples to see that first place is not the goal [unless you’re the Orioles]. The goal is making sure kids are not being hurt - people are getting cups of water - and we’re not putting our lives into the garbage dump with sins of eye, hand or foot - envy, lust, stealing or walking to places that can destroy us. Gehenna was the name of this ugly big garbage dump off one of the hills in Jerusalem - that was constantly on fire.

When it comes to jealousy, church goers and followers of Jesus are not immune. Ever since we were in the seminary we heard that jealousy is a priest’s disease.  We also heard that envy is as well.

Bummer.

Then as we experience life we discover jealousy and envy infiltrate everyone’s life more or else.

SOME EXAMPLES OF JEALOUSY

The priest or bishop is on the pedestal and everyone is praising them. Then the priest - bishop scandal hits the Church and priests and bishops and all the pedestals are empty because of pedophilia.  And in the meanwhile - which can take a lifetime - those who were abused feel like they were tossed out to sea with a great millstone around their neck for the rest of their lives.

The husband hates to dance - but gets angry at the wedding because his wife who loves to dance - is dancing with so and so.

The little girl or boy is the only child. Surprise mom and dad bring home another child and the oldest - even though very young  - now no longer has undivided attention - and surprise what he or she does to the new comer.

The old time secretary - who runs the show - sees the boss explaining things to the new young “thing” and comments start to fly.

SOME EXAMPLES OF ENVY

Daddy likes my sister more than me and I’m envious of the praise she gets.

The teacher gives so and so A’s and attention every day.

So and so is a better athlete than me - and has brains - and looks - and I wish I’d have a tiny bit of that.

So and so has the expensive car and house and pool and vacations and then there’s poor, poor me.

JESUS ON BOTH

Jesus knew about jealousy and envy first hand.

Why did the Pharisees want him killed? One answer: Jesus cut into their appearance on center stage in synagogues and market place.

Why did the Pharisees want Jesus killed?  One answer: They saw the crowds following Jesus - and they wanted to see people’s faces and not their backs.

Jesus knew that wanting the whole world can destroy a person’s soul - let alone the meal on his or her plate.

A cartoon in a British magazine, Punch, shows two men eating and one is signaling the waiter to take away his plate.  The caption below goes: “The envious man, who sends away his mutton because the person next to him is eating venison.”

Jesus knew that stuff happens every day and every day in can ruin us - and we miss the bread and the wine and enjoying seeing the birds of the air and the flowers of the field and a husband who has put on 25 pounds in his pot.

SALIERI AND MOZART

As I was thinking about this last night I remembered the movie Amadeus - that was the hot movie back in 1984.

Once upon a time there were two musicians - Salieri and Mozart.

And Salieri is in an insane asylum - having wanted to kill Mozart - and killing himself inwardly in the process and a young priest comes to hear his confession and we hear it all.

Mozart was a wild man - risqué and frivolous - and whatever music he touched turned to gold. Salieri was the pious person - and everything he created was work, work, work and paper.

In one scene Mozart hears one of Salieri’s pieces that he worked and worked over. Mozart upon hearing it once, replays it exactly. Then he starts to improvise and it becomes The  Marriage of Figaro. Such talent in another kills Salieri, He wants murder Mozart and steal Mozart’s Requiem and play it at his funeral. Instead he goes crazy with envy.

How many lives has this same thing happened?

In this homily I went under the skin and looked at “Jealousy and Envy” which all need to confess eats us up.

CONCLUSION: A PRAYER

Jesus help us with all of this,

because we can certainly mess

ourselves up with all of this. Amen.




[Painting on top: "Jealousy" found it on the internet - but don't know yet who painted it.]