Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Envy is a deadly sin. It is a sadness at the sight of another’s good or a happiness in seeing someone better than you brought down to your level. When it wishes grave harm to a neighbor it is a mortal sin. Envy often stems from pride. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2539-40). The envious person refuses to love since love requires us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15).
Be on your guard against any traces of envy in your soul. By the exercise of good will the Christian struggles against envy. See others as better than yourselves. Give glory to God for the good in others that you do not possess. Seek the promotion of another person’s good knowing that God will be praised and you will grow in humility and love.
Satan introduced us to sin through his envy of God and man. Jesus conquered the devil through humbly submitting to the Father in lowliness. Be like Jesus Who became a friend of sinners and, through love, redeemed us from the envy of the devil.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 