Friday of the Second Week of Lent
(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew
21:33-43.45-46)
The poet John Milton described Lucifer as a
tragic figure. In Paradise Lost, Lucifer
has many positive qualities, but he also harbors envy. For this reason he rebels against God. Today’s readings give two more examples of
envy.
Joseph’s brothers envy their father’s treating
him as his favorite son. Their envy
grows so virulent that they consider killing him. In the gospel Jesus tells the story of
vineyard workers who desire the owner’s vineyard. They succeed in murdering the owner’s heir in
order to attain the vineyard.
Envy or sadness over another’s rightful
success affects most of us because it works off our pride. We feel that somehow we deserve what belongs
to others. We can overcome this vice by
accepting God’s love for us. His love should
mean much more than worldly success. It
offers the gift of happiness. To an
extent we can experience the happiness now as we let go of competing with
others. We will enjoy the fulness of happiness with the coming of His kingdom.
