"The green-eyed monster of jealousy rears its head in our First Reading today. The women sing, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and D...
"The green-eyed monster of jealousy rears its head in our First Reading today. The women sing, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.' King Saul cannot handle this comparison.
Let’s meditate on three words starting with 'A': Acclaim, Anger, and Attraction.
First, Acclaim. We all want to be appreciated. But Saul’s problem was that he needed to be the most appreciated. When someone else received Acclaim, he felt diminished. This is the trap of comparison. In the age of social media, it is easy to look at someone else’s life—their 'likes,' their travels, their success—and feel like we are failing.
This leads to Anger. Saul’s jealousy turned into a murderous rage. Jealousy is a poison we drink expecting the other person to die. It blinded Saul to the fact that David was actually his greatest asset and most loyal servant. Anger born of envy destroys relationships and rots the soul.
In contrast, look at the Gospel. There is a massive Attraction to Jesus. People from everywhere are pushing to touch Him. Why? Not because He sought Acclaim, but because He was full of God’s life and healing. St. Vincent, whom we celebrate today, was a deacon who served the poor. He didn't seek the spotlight, yet his martyrdom inspired the Church for centuries.
The lesson is clear: Do not chase Acclaim, and guard your heart against the Anger of jealousy. Instead, focus on doing good, and your life will have a natural Attraction that leads people to God."
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