Daily reflection _ Turn away from envy


TURN AWAY FROM ENVY
Saul, was blinded by fear, failed to see God's hand at work and…
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
The David and Goliath story is another memorable and dramatic story. Coming out to greet the conquering heroes, the women of Israel sing a song for the occasion. "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands."  Hearing this, Saul became exceedingly envious of David. Saul suspected that due to these praises, David would capitalize on his popularity and seize the throne. Actually Saul had little or no real basis for such a fear. David respected Saul and his position. David recognized that the same divine power which had allowed him to defeat Goliath had also established Saul as the rightful king. Saul, was blinded by fear, failed to see God's hand at work and gave in to the vice of envy.
Envy is discontent at the excellence of good fortune of another. It produces resentment and bitterness. Envy is a terrible sin not only because it manifests selfishness but also makes a person miserable. It's like a plague.
In our own struggles and challenges to make ends meet and find our way we can also become bitter about our own situation, though envy knows no boundaries. We can envy even the good fortune of our best friends or members of our families.
Although there is a pettiness in all envy, its main cause is a lack of personal security, not the kind of security which comes from money only but from the conviction that God loves us. When we recognize the wealth of God's blessings to us we need not envy any one else.
Points to Pray and Ponder.  Take time to meditate on today's Responsorial Psalm. In God I Trust; I shall not fear. For you have rescued me from death, my feet, too, from stumbling; that I may walk before God in the light of the living.  God is at work in our lives, directing us in a loving way.