Jealousy

The difference between envy and jealousy is one of possession and ownership: Jealousy creates a resentful suspicion but envy is often a desire for or a feeling of ill will over someone’s success or advantages. Envy is a pain (Aristotle) or it aims at destroying other’s good fortune (Kant). But jealousy involves three persons: the subject, the rival and the beloved and the jealous person's real locus of concern is the beloved—the person whose affection he is losing or fears losing—not his rival. That is the real difference that the envier’s real concern is the rival.

Jealousy is not a new concept to humanity. Right from the start of Greek civilization, it has been the underlying factor and a great concern too. Hera the wife of Zeus revealed her jealousy whenever Zeus showed some interest in other gods like Leto, Callisto, Lo and Lamia. Judaism had to deal with it from the moment monotheism became the part and parcel of their life. The Shema and the Ten Commandments reveal the Jealous God and a vulnerable people who give into jealousy. Christianity has some strong lessons on jealousy in the NT: For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. (James 3:14-16). St. Paul talks about the works of the flesh in Galatians (jealousies).

The main concern among the leaders of the church is that jealousy brings in inconsistency in our faith. It certainly is contrary to the Golden Rule of Jesus and incompatible with the faith we profess in. Both the 1st reading and the gospel reading reveal the paranoid disciplines of people who wanted to ‘safeguard’ the boundaries of the church. It was impossible for Ancient Greek rulers and philosophers and also the Egyptians to understand and appreciate the One True God of the Jews; yet Cyrus, the king of Persia was referred to as a Messiah by the Jews. Romans had power and intelligence yet a soldier came to Jesus and professed faith in a Jew called Jesus.

Tax collectors, prostitutes, murderer Paul and political extremist Simon the Zealot were are welcomed into the heart of Jesus. Outsiders like the Samaritans, Romans were considered heroes in the language of Jesus. Jesus refused to live by the divisions and barriers of one's own race, one's own religious institution, one's own political party. When the disciples wanted exclusive claims he challenged them. "Do not stop him . . . Whoever is not against us is for us." God can never be a reference point of separation, anarchy or war since God is the point of Unity and peace.

Jealousy is the cause of many breakups of relationships down through the centuries. Experts say the negative effects of Jealousy are often Paranoia (checking on you every time, checking cell phones etc.), Fighting (lack of trust, leading to anger and aggression), inaccurate accusations and ultimately the Break-ups. It is essential that every married ring carries a tremendous amount of love and trust the every time you see it, it should increase your married love with one another and God. Children need to witness that unity and trust of the parents every time they see the parents together. Every Christian has the responsibility to work towards unity and peace and avoid jealousy overtaking us.