Wednesday after Septuagesima: On Envy

Meditation.

ON ENVY.

1ST POINT. The envious laborer murmured because the householder gave as much recompense to those who came into the vineyard at the eleventh hour, as to them who had borne the burden and heat of the day.

What is envy? It is a black and diabolical passion, whose hell is the happiness of others, and whose happiness is only found in the miseries and anguish of the unfortunate.

It is an extravagant passion, which always pursues the light, yet cannot endure its effluence; which regards virtue, but cannot support the applause it wins.

It is an unjust and unreasonable passion, which hates a man because he is good, and proceeds with rancor against him because he is happy and without crime.

It is a detestable passion, which would destroy the source of all good, and break the union which binds together the commerce of nature with grace and glory.

2D POINT. What is envy? It is an insolent passion which would, if possible, institute a judicial contest against the providence of God, and take from Him the government of the world, because He prospers the good and blesses the just.

It is an infernal passion, which tortures the damned, who behold afar off those who are saved enjoying an unclouded felicity, of which they are hopelessly and eternally deprived; and who suffer, in all their senses, the fire which consumes them, and the worm that, never dying, preys on them.

It is a malicious passion, which wars against the Holy Ghost; and takes offence at the prosperity and virtues of others, while it endeavors to spread its venom over the graces which render them worthy of the love of God and the esteem of men.

Finally, it is a despairing passion, and an evil without remedy, because it closes every avenue of the human heart to the influences of grace, and seeks its only relief in the ruin of innocence.

3D POINT. Are you not under the dominion of this vice? Does not the prosperity of your neighbor afflict and disturb you? Do you not rejoice in his adversity? Are you not vexed at the abundance of his temporal possessions? This is the first step. Are you not displeased at his spiritual treasures, such as the spirit of wisdom, counsel, fortitude, and other gifts of the Holy Ghost? This is the second step. Do you not envy him those supernatural gifts which enrich him, such as those of grace, integrity, perfection, and sanctity? This is the third step. Alas! miserable and haughty creature, you are animated by the fury and malice of the devil, and shall suffer, unless you repent speedily, the same punishment with him through all eternity. Be afraid, tremble at the terrible horrors which await the envious; humble yourself by true contrition, and learn to rejoice in the good of your fellow beings, and love your neighbor as yourself.

WORDS OF SCRIPTURE.

" Is thy eye evil because I am good?" St. Matt. xx.

" Soundness of heart is the life of the flesh; but envy is the rottenness of the bones." Proverbs, xiv.

" But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world." Wisdom, ii.

" A man that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him." Proverbs, xxviii.

" For whereas there is among you envying and contention, are you not carnal, and walk according to man?" 1 Corinthians, iii.