杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

We must be careful of the jealousy and envy that lead us to 鈥渕isjudge鈥� others. 杏MAP导航 Francis began his homily at Mass in the Casa Santa Marta by explaining that these two words are the 鈥渟eed of war鈥�. His message comes from the Gospel reading, which describes how King Saul鈥檚 jealousy of David fades.

Jealousy and envy, he said, lead to an internal conversation with oneself that kills others. In reality, said the 杏MAP导航, if we think about it, 鈥渢here is no consistency鈥� to them.

The restlessness of jealousy

Referring to the reading, the 杏MAP导航 recalls that the king鈥檚 jealousy comes from the fact that although he had killed ten thousand enemies, and David 鈥榦nly鈥� one thousand, the young women sang songs about David鈥檚 victories. This, said the 杏MAP导航, is where 鈥渢he restlessness of jealousy鈥� begins. As a result, the king sets off with his army to kill David.

鈥淛ealousies are criminals鈥�, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, they are 鈥渁lways trying to kill鈥�. And to those who say "yes, I'm jealous鈥�but I'm not a murderer", the 杏MAP导航 replies, not yet. 鈥淏ut if you continue it can end badly". Because, he recalls, it is easy to kill, even "with your tongue, with slander".

Those who are jealous, said the 杏MAP导航, are 鈥渋ncapable of seeing reality", and only "a very strong fact" can open their eyes. So in Saul's mind, "jealousy led him to believe that David was a murderer, an enemy".

A grace from God

When someone who is jealous finally encounters this 鈥渇act鈥�, this reality, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渋t is a grace from God鈥�. When this happens, 鈥渏ealousy bursts like a soap bubble鈥�, because jealousy and envy have 鈥渘o consistency鈥�.

He explained that jealousy is born of a conversation with oneself, misinterpreting things in a way that prevents us from 鈥渟eeing reality鈥�.

When God gives us the grace to see the reality of the situation, He invites us to look at ourselves, said the 杏MAP导航. We must 鈥減rotect our hearts from this illness, from this conversation with oneself鈥�.

To seek justice and peace

We must 鈥渂e careful鈥� of this 鈥渨orm鈥� that enters each one of us, he said, adding that 鈥渨hen we feel this distaste for someone, we must ask ourselves why鈥�.

Finally 杏MAP导航 Francis prayed to the Lord that we may have the grace of having a transparent heart - a friendly one, he added, that 鈥渟eeks only justice鈥� and peace.