HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF LENT.
THEME: ENVY: THE DREAM KILLER.
BY: Fr. Karabari Paul
‘Here comes this dreamer, come let us kill him’
The story of Joseph in the First Reading ( Genesis37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28) teaches us that God’s love and blessings can attract enemies and cause others to mistreat and hate you. There are people who may not share in your dream. Not everyone will celebrate your success, including some of those close to you. The Bible says of Joseph, ‘His brothers envied him’ (Genesis 37:11). There it is – envy! When God blesses you, those who feel left out may target you. Some may feel more worthy and deserving and feel that your blessing came at their expense.
Envy is like a boomerang; it comes back to hurt the one who throws it. It doesn’t understand the love that runs through bloodline. It is completely blind to consequences.
‘Now Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than any of his other sons…and he made an ornate robe for him.’ Motivated by jealousy and resentment, Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit and dipped his coat in the blood of a goat in order to convince their father that he had been killed by a wild animal. This is an evil plot from the bloodline of Joseph. They weren’t outsiders. No. The brothers hated him because they felt he had the potency to be great. The most dangerous enemies are the enemies from within; family members, friends, co-workers, business associates, and co-tenants.
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Again, parents must be sensitive to their approach in parenting. It is true that one of the children may be Daddy’s or Mummy’s favourite. However, the impression of hate towards the others should be completely avoided. Otherwise, they may develop resentment towards the favoured one.
And in case your position in the family or place of work gives you the privilege of Joseph, be careful whom you share your dreams with. Envy does not know who is a friend or a blood relative. Sometimes, the shoulders will desire to lean on are thorny.
We see the same conspiracy in the Gospel (Matthew 21:33-46). A man who gets you into a business hasn’t committed any crime. He thinks good of you. But the wicked tenants killed the servants and the son of the householder to have vineyard all to themselves. In both Readings, those who turn themselves into enemies are either family members or business associates. They are people Joseph would call his own, or the householder would call his friends. They weren’t strangers. But why is it difficult to understand that we can’t be blessed equally? What exactly are we fighting for in this world? Why envy and rivalry? God’s blessings come differently, but God has enough for everyone. Why do we get angry that people have what we don’t have? GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God destroy from our heart all traces of envy and wickedness. God bless you and your household always through Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning
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