jealousy . . . 2nd week thursday

Today in our first reading we are made to see the seething jealousy of Saul towards David.  After killing the champion of the Philistines, the giant Goliath, the women of Israel cheered David singing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”  That made Saul very jealous, it made him envious and it was an envy, a jealousy that made him want to kill David.  It was only through the intervention of Jonathan his son, that made Saul think otherwise and vowed never to kill David.  But as before Saul never intended to fulfill his promises.  Later he would again pursue David in an effort to get rid of him and kill him.

Jealousy can be a terrible thing. We are jealous because we are insecure about ourselves and we find it difficult to accept our realities – who we are and what we have.  For example it is very difficult for us to see others surpassing the skills of which we were proud.  It is difficult to see people turning their attention to others than to us.   It is sometimes difficult to accept that we are only second best.  Many times jealousy and envy can be a driving force that motivates others to work for the grade or to compete and even to work harder.  For a time it will produce results but in the long run it would make us resentful, tired and bitter. 

Jealousy also thrives when we often compare people, when we put them side by side and measure them out, when we are particular about what people say about us

Jealousy and envy can only be cured we have learned to accept our reality including the recognition as to where we are strong and where we are weak.  We can cure these when we have learned to appreciate and love ourselves for who we are.