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.]
