Seeing the Good in Others

What I will share with you today is about ENVY, one of the seven capital sins in the teaching of the Catholic Church. According to the Webster Dictionary, the word envy  is defined as “(noun) a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.” Is this somehow familiar with you? 
 
In our gospel from Mark chapter 9, some of Jesus’ disciples were trying to prevent someone who performs miracles because he is not one of them. But Jesus rebuked them. Jesus took up the lesson that those who are not against them is for them. And those who help others, give a cup of water to those who are thirsty will surely have their reward in heaven. 
 
Envy. Jealousy. 
 
The closest opposite words of these is HAPPINESS. When we are happy of what other people have, when we are happy when other people are successful, when we are happy when other people are financially blessed, that is what envy or jealousy are not. And so why so many of us are easily drawn to the feeling of envy or jealousy? Why at times it’s too easy to see the negative side about other people’s achievements or success instead of just being happy and grateful? 
 
For Jesus, each one has his/her own gifts from God. And whether people do not belong to a certain group doesn’t mean that the person cannot be like one of them. Performing miracle was never against Jesus and his disciples. It was simply doing what is needed and necessary – helping people in need. And that’s what God intends and loves. That people will do what is good to help others especially those in need. That is why Jesus rebuked his disciples because they did not see the good deed of that person. 
 
In real life, we encounter people who somehow performs well but they seem not to belong to our group. Often, what is more reasonable for us is to accept only those who are in our circle or team. We get jealous when our siblings are given more attention. We feel envy when our friends are achieving more than what we have achieved. We get jealous when our co-workers are given more attention by our superior or boss than our own work. 
 
The sad reality is that it is happening every day, everywhere. Because what people always wanted is to be given importance and appreciation. To be applauded and rewarded in almost all our endeavors. But that is impossible. We know that we cannot always have the best in everything. We cannot always be the best and first in everything. Yes, we do have our share of something. But to regard ourselves as the center of everything is tantamount to illusion. 
 
If our attitude is always to seek attention and appreciation in everything that we do, then we will surely not have peace of mind and happiness in life. In contrast, when we learn how to appreciate, grateful, and feel happy with what other people are doing, then we can have happiness all around us. 
 
God doesn’t want us to get jealous or envy other people. Rather, God wants us to see and realize that what we have today is more than enough than what we truly deserve. 
 
If other people are doing well, then let’s join them in their achievement. Learning to appreciate and being happy of what others have fulfilled and done make our lives more peaceful and happy. So if one day, you feel like feeling envy or jealous of something or someone, think about all that God has given you, and that will surely make you feel enough and grateful.

by Fr. Rockmoore M. Saniel, OMI