Friday of the Second Week of Lent
(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)
Envy is said to be “sorrow over another’s good.” Since it lacks charity, it is a sin. It is said to be a capital sin because it
readily gives rise to others. The
derivative sins may be graver than envy. In today’s first reading, envy causes
Joseph’s brothers to sell him into slavery.
In the gospel parable of the vineyard, it moves the tenants to murder.
Most people experience envy at some time. We may resent the fact that others score
better on tests or that they make more money for less work. Envy can be contravened by effort to be
content with what we have. Jesus tells
us not to worry about what we lack, but to ask the Father for what we
need. Another wise man, the Dalai Lama
or chief priest of Buddhism, has other good advice. He says, “We need to learn how to want what
we have, not to have what we want in order to get steady and stable happiness.”
