Dear friends, the parable of Jesus is very touching. It is all about the virus and vice of envy and jealousy everywhere. We may not notice it happening unless we give it a deep thought. It happens every day in and around us in every field of life. We can give instances of the story of Jesus in various ways to draw our attention closer to it and its effects among us.
Envy Instance in Commerce and Employment
The story of Jesus is like the first two people employed in a new business. They were placed on the same salary and trained for three years before being posted as managers to two different rural areas opened by the company. Two years later, two other people were employed. But as they were being trained, an opportunity for the company to open a new branch in the capital city of the country came up. The first two employees thought they were to be moved to the capital city. But sadly, the newly employed ones were sent to work for the company in the capital, but their salary remains the same as every other person in the company. They were given the opportunity to finish their training on a private basis. The first two employees were very sad and envious of them, not only because they were new, but because they were posted to work in the capital even when they had not finished their training. If you were the first two employees, how would you feel?
Envy Instance in the Church
Again, the story of Jesus can be likened to that of the missionaries who were sent to work in a diocese. The first two arrived and were posted to do their pastoral work in parishes where there was immediate need at the time of their arrival. After about two years, two other missionaries were sent to the same diocese, and they were posted in the city at the retirement of the priests in both city parishes. The first two missionaries were very upset and grudged at the posting because, according to them, it was in a better parish with more population and in the city. The stipend for missionaries in the diocese is the same. But they were envious of the new missionaries sent to support them in the diocese. Some other indigenous priests also grumble that the missionaries should not be posted to their first-grade parish in the diocese. These things happen, and so Jesus is correct with his parable.
Envy in Every Sector
The story is the same in every field of endeavor and career. We always struggle to be at the top of everything and dominate others. And if we do not get it, we grumble and quarrel as if we are being treated differently. We don’t want another to do it better than we can do it. You play the piano, and the other sings well; you are not happy. Also, you want to play the piano and be the best singer as well. You are a judge, and you are jealous of an eloquent solicitor and want to be him. And, you are jealous of his exceptional talent. You are a bishop, and you are not happy because you want to be the cardinal. You consider yourself to be more qualified than another.
The envy and jealousy are everywhere because we are not satisfied with our different talents. We want to possess that of another. And if it is not given to us, we are not happy because we want to possess everything ourselves. Instead of concentrating on the output of our work, we concentrate on ways to promote and enrich ourselves to the detriment of the people, company, or society we are called to serve.
The Question of Jesus
The question Jesus asked the workers who grudged: ‘why are you envious because I am generous?’ is still relevant today. It has been addressed to you and me. This is because we always struggle and feel that we are unjustly treated when we desire something, and it is not given. We complain as if to say it is our right and not for the other. We become selfish in everything and want to be counted first before others. And, we want to possess every gift; others do not need them, and that is selfishness which is not good for our spiritual well-being.
Conclusion
The best way to grow in life is to appreciate what you have and what others have too. We must realize that we are all talented. If we use our talents well, we can become stars in our own ways, wherever we are. We must learn to live; let others live, and work together to make the world a better place. Jesus tells us the parable to help us shape our envious lives over one another and always appreciate His generosity and love for everyone. We can do it if we work on ourselves and are happy with the different gifts God has bestowed on us.
Peace be with you!
