Eldho Augustine csc
Readings: Acts 5:17-26; Jn 3:16-21
In the first reading, we read that the decision to arrest the apostles and put them in prison by the high priest and the Sadducees was out of jealousy. But one may ask? What exactly were they jealous about? That the disciples were preaching and proclaiming a resurrected Jesus to others?
Jealousy is like a cancer that grows silently, hidden in the body as it eats away at the healthy tissue. Jealousy eats away at our self-esteem and at our love of neighbor. It is hard to love someone when your energy and attention is focused on the things that they have and the things that you do not have. Jealousy leads to hatred. Hatred leads to persecution and murder like we read in the first reading today.
Today’s gospel tells us that in the end, we have absolutely no need of jealousy because we possess that which is more precious than clothes, jewelry, and fancy vacations. We are loved by God so abundantly that he gave his only Son to deliver us from death and bring us to eternal life – a gift beyond all others. By focusing on the light that Christ brought into the world, we can banish the darkness of jealousy from our hearts.
God’s love for us is more precious than anything in this world. We don’t need to be jealous about their wealth, their success story, etc. Remember that we are loved unconditionally by God and that we are created unique and unrepeatable; that we are beautifully and wonderfully made.