25TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:20-24, 27; Matthew 20:1-16
My Dearest Friends in Christ, today’s Liturgy of the Word invites us to examine one of the most subtle and destructive sins of the human heart, envy. In a society marked by titles, positions, age, achievements, and social status, envy can easily take root. Even leaders and those entrusted with responsibility can sometimes lack compassion, generosity, and mercy. Yet the Prophet Isaiah reminds us in the First Reading: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.”
Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard in the Gospel. Those who worked all day became angry when those who worked only one hour received the same wage. Their problem was not that they were cheated but that they received exactly what had been agreed upon. Their sadness came from seeing another person receive generosity. Jesus therefore exposes the futility of envy: “Are you envious because I am generous?”.
What exactly is envy? Envy is sadness over another person’s happiness, blessings, or achievements, accompanied by the desire that the person should lose those goods. Sometimes we even feel satisfaction when another person fails. Envy is similar but different from jealousy. Envy involves jealousy but it takes things a big step forward. Envy poisons our whole being. “Jealousy and anger shorten life, and anxiety brings on old age too soon” (Sir 30:24).
Envy often proceeds from pride. It cannot tolerate a superior, a rival, or someone receiving attention that we believe belongs to us. It appears when we become annoyed because another person is praised, when we depreciate someone’s reputation by speaking ill of them, or when we try to eclipse others through questionable means. Scripture gives us painful examples. Cain’s envy of Abel led to anger and eventually murder. Joseph’s brothers hated him because of their envy. Saul became consumed with jealousy toward David. These stories warn us that an unchecked feeling can become destructive action.
St. Paul gives us another way. He says that whether he lives or dies, Christ must be glorified, and he urges the Philippians to “live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27). The Christian does not need to compete for another person’s blessing. We are called to rejoice in God’s goodness wherever it appears.
Deare Friends in Christ, there are two important lessons. First, envy distorts our judgment of others. It can make us believe that we are morally superior when we are not. Like the repentant thief on the cross, we must learn to ask not that others be brought down, but that we ourselves be lifted toward Christ. Second, compassion overcomes envy. We should remember the wise counsel traditionally associated with St. John Vianney that there is only a short distance between the bridge and the water, and that distance should make us cautious about judging another person’s final destiny. God’s generosity is not a threat to us. Another person’s blessing does not diminish God’s love for us. Let us therefore ask for humble hearts that can rejoice in another’s success, forgive another’s failures, and leave judgment to God. May the Lord cleanse our hearts from envy and fill us with generosity, mercy, and love. Amen. Happy Sunday and God bless you all!
©Friar Emmanuel Idakwo OFM Cap.
