The Green-Eyed Monster

In the Office of Readings (two-year cycle) we have been thinking about the first Joseph, the Old Testament hero who was so murderously treated by his brothers.  It’s hard for us to conceive how these men could have developed such a hatred of the little brother that they should have zealously protected.  But their jealousy of their father’s affection for him seems to have burned them up.  One thing I have learned in my life is the power of this jealousy, and of course it can sometimes infect our Secular communities.  I am struck by St Teresa’s unremitting emphasis on humility, but I believe that can be a remedy for incipient feelings of jealousy.  Not a solution, because we have to learn to take actual delight in the talents and successes of others, but a kind of balm I suppose – if I think that I deserve to be in the last place, I will not grieve when I am put there! Incidentally, I wonder how jealousy came to be known as 'the green-eyed monster'?

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Marie

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

Mark – brain infection

Michael – youngster with occult influences

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Roy Seymour, Richard Parker, Joy Smith OCDS, Dr Alan Rodgers