Friday 18th March 2022. Read: Gen. 37:3-4,12-13,17-28, Ps. 105:16-21, Matthew 21:33-43,45-46
“They said to one another, ‘Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild beast has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.’” (Genesis 37:19-20)
The parable of the householder who planted a vineyard teaches us a lesson; that God expects us to be fruitful. He knows what we are made of. If the householder had not planted rich seeds, he would not send people to ask for the fruits. God demands our fruits because he knows we can deliver.
To be envious of others is to notice their gifts and develop hatred for them just because of what they have. It is seeing the light in others and trying by all means to quench it. This was the sad reality with Joseph and his brothers. It was also the sad reality between Jesus and those who were plotting to kill Him. As Nicodemus mentioned, these religious leaders knew that Jesus is God, they could not fault Jesus, but instead of accepting Jesus, they hated Him.
Thanks to the intervention of Judah, the brothers of Joseph brought him out of the pit and sold him to the Midianites for twenty shekels of silver. They thought that would be the end of his dreams, little did they know they were setting those dreams in motion.
The tenants in the parable reasoned that by killing the son, the vineyard would become theirs. The religious leaders thought that by killing Jesus, that would be the end of Him not knowing that by so doing, they brought to fulfilment all that was said about Jesus.
When we fight others out of envy, we only help to lift them up even more. Regardless of your hatred for a person, you cannot quench their light; you cannot stop them from achieving what God has planned for them.
Flee from envy; hatred is blindness – when you hate, you become blind to the treasures that God has deposited in you. Remember that both the razor blade and the axe can cut but while the razor cannot cut trees, the axe cannot shave beards. I would be doing a great disservice to God if, for instance, I as a razor blade am envious of the axe just because I am not able to do what an axe can do.
If you do not celebrate the gifts of others; no one will celebrate yours. If you try to pull people down, you will forever remain down. None of us is cheated by God. No human being is without special gifts and abilities. God has planted a vineyard in you and He expects to see your fruits. Watch out when you begin to criticize others continuously, you may simply be playing out your envy.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, cleanse my heart from envy that I may discover my gifts. Save me from the envy of those who hate me and grant me victory over their plots. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Friday of the 2nd week of Lent. Bible Study: Gen. 37:3-4,12-13,17-28, Ps. 105:16-21, Matthew 21:33-43,45-46).
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu
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