ENVY KILLS

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Envy Kills.”

Envy itches the skin of our arms and our chest. 

Catch yourself when you are feeling envious. See if you scratch your arms and the back of your hands or your chest – just under your heart – or if your a lefty, on your right side.  I don’t know if that’s true,

but it’s something I wonder about. Check it out.

CAPITAL SIN

Envy is one of the capital sins. It’s a biggie. It means coveting. It means wanting. It means desiring – what others have and we don’t have.

Envy causes resentments – loss of skin – loss of soul – loss of energy – loss of time – loss of inner peace.

The title of my homily is, “Envy kills.”

Envy is often interchanged with the word “jealousy”. It happens so often that the argument that jealousy has to do with fear of losing what we have and envy is wanting what others have – doesn’t hold.

Yet I still like that distinction between envy and jealous.

TODAY’S FIRST READING

Today’s first reading from Genesis puts the issue of envy up front and personal. [Cf. Genesis 37: 3-4, 12-13a, 17b -28a]

Parents, teachers, grandparents always tell us that they don’t have any favorites. 

Let me tell you: they are lying.

Today’s first reading begins with the flat out statement that Jacob loved Joseph best of all his sons. His dad even makes a special coat just for him – the so called “coat of many colors”.

How’s that for a topper.

Joseph was smart later on in life – but when he was a teenager – he let his brothers know he knew he was daddy’s favorite. He told his brothers his dreams and in his dreams he’s #1.

He let them know he was top dog – the Hot Dog!

No wonder they wanted to kill him.

Envy kills.

And Joseph is almost killed.

Instead he’s sold into Egypt for 20 pieces of silver.

Hint, hint, the price of living has gone up by the time Jesus rolls around – when he’s sold for 30 pieces of silver.

TODAY’S GOSPEL

Today’s gospel from Matthew gets right into one of the main motives for killing Jesus. It’s envy. And Envy Kills. [Cf. Matthew 21: 33-43, 45-46.]

Jesus was drawing the crowds.

Jesus was giving insights, wisdom, “Aha Statements”.

Jesus was giving religion of the heart – inside stories, inside stuff, and the chief priests knew down deep they didn’t have it.

Killing Jesus, removing Jesus, would remove these terrible feelings of envy – eating at their insides.  If they could kill Jesus, the heir, the favorite Son, they would have the whole Vineyard for themselves.

Envy kills.

PRIESTS

I’ve heard a few times the comment, “Envy is a priest’s disease.” 

It is. But it’s also an everybody’s disease.

The other person has better skin, is in better shape. The other person gets better recognition.  The other person has a better car and a better looking car, spouse, children.  The other person has a better wedding, funeral, front lawn. You name it and I’m envious of it, because I don’t have it.

Name your poison.

Name your desire.

Name your envy.

LITTLE GIRL STORY

I had a neat experience a few Sunday’s ago.

It was the baptism of the second child – another beautiful little girl.

Well, we’re standing there after the baptism and the newly baptized baby is in her daddy’s arms – just after getting all that attention.

Her older sister – 2 years old – sees her sister in daddy’s arms and wants to be held by daddy.

I don’t know if this is what’s going on – but this was what I was seeing.

She starts whining – loudish whining – wanting to be in daddy’s arms.

He’s just looking at his youngest.  Well, the 2 year old turns and sees me and comes over and wraps her arms around me.

It was a nice moment – never having kids.

Snap. Snap. Picture. Picture.

And I picked her up into my arms to mirror her daddy with his youngest daughter in his arms.

And she turns to face her daddy with a great look.

Hey guy. Look at me. Eat your heart out.

Snap. Snap. Picture. Picture.

Was this a picture of what goes on for much of our lives?

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, “Envy Kills.”

What’s a woman or a man to do?

Here are 3 solutions for now – first draft thoughts. I picked 3 words beginning with A - and tomorrow I could pick B's or at least C's.

First of all: Acceptance.  It behooves us to learn how to accept our age – our realities – our lives – as is – at any given moment – especially when envy itches us – and learn to laugh at ourselves.

Secondly: Appearance. It behooves us to remember that appearances are tricky. The grass is always greener in the other person’s yard. Or as they said years ago: “The grass is always greener over the other persons septic tank.”

Thirdly: Affirm others. It behooves us to affirm others about the stuff we envy in them or about them. This is part of how virtues grow - going against its opposite - the vice. Say, “Hey you have great skin.” “I love you car!” “Now that was the best wedding I’ve been at in years.”  "That's an interesting tie." “That’s a beautiful dress. Where did you buy it? Best dress at the wedding.” 

OOOOOOOOOO

Painting on top: Envy by Eva Hoffmann