Sept. 30, 2012: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time B
The first time an 8-yr old child handed me a Nintendo Wii controller to play boxing, I thought to myself that I would let him win. Once the game began, however, he knocked me out in a matter of few seconds. I felt embarrassed, and there rose in me a secret resentment. I thought to myself, ‘I’m getting too old for this, to make a fool of myself.’ Typical games that we play--a head-to-head Nintendo game, singles tennis match, or a football game--can be classified as a zero-sum game; a game in which one player’s or team’s winnings equal the other player’s or team’s loss. At the Ascension Catholic School football game a few nights ago, Ascension trailed the opponent by a couple of touchdowns in the third quarter. The visitor’s section was excited, while our home team section was biting our nails. Some folks were already leaving, not wanting to experience the feelings associated with defeat. Then Ascension scored a series of touchdowns and our defense stopped the opponent’s offense with no time left. It was a dramatic 42 to 40 win. Our home section was lit like a firecracker with excitement over the win. I am sure, the visitor section left somewhat stunned.
We also experience this zero-sum attitude in ordinary life, outside of games and sports. When someone else is enjoying health, wealth, success, or happiness, do you feel a hint of resentment? There is a saying that goes, “Whenever a friend succeeds, a little something in me dies.” A corollary to this would be, “Whenever a friend fails, a little something in me comes alive.” The resentment that we feel is a result of our battle with envy. When we are envious, we are looking at ourselves and comparing ourselves to others for what we have and what they have. The opposite of envy is the virtue of admiration. In admiration, we take our eyes off ourselves and look at the marvel of God’s generous gift to each person. The danger of envy is that it is as damaging to others as it is to our self. For example, we can be tempted to resentment or gossip. In the spiritual life, we call envy the daughter of pride. As pride is self-centered, envy is self-centered for it looks to the self as a mirror of standard; if the self perceives that it is lacking another person’s trait - ability, status, or situation - then resentment sets in.
In the gospel today, Jesus reprimands his disciples for their jealousy and suspicion. The disciples were upset that someone who was not of their company was performing a spiritual work in the name of Jesus. They even "forbade" the man because he was not following them. Yet Jesus reminds them that the mighty works that they perform are not a result of their own power; it is the Lord’s. The disciples did not earn, deserve, or merit this power. It is a free gift from the Lord, so it is not for the disciples to dictate who gets this power. We are like the disciples when we get upset at the good deeds of others who seem to outshine us. When we envy, we lack love. St. Paul says, “Love does not envy, but rejoices in the right.” (1 Cor 13:4,6) To deny ourselves and to lift our eyes to the goodness of others is love. St. Paul tells the Philippians, “Dear brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Phil 4:8)
St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower whose feast day we celebrate on October 1, had a great insight that will help us see the goodness in others. She likened each person as a different kind of flower. Some are tall and beautiful as the rose or tulip. They get noticed much by the butterflies and bees. St. Therese likened herself to a violet, a tiny flower lacking a stem that stays close to the ground, and hence ignored by the pollinating insects. Yet, Sun shines upon the tall and beautiful flowers equally well as on little flowers like violet. That Sun is God’s grace showering upon each soul fully and uniquely. She said, “The sun shines equally both on cedars and on every tiny flower. In just the same way God looks after every soul as if it had no equal. All is planned for the good of every soul, exactly as the seasons are so arranged that the humblest daisy blossoms at the appointed time.” (Story of a Soul, Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux)
St. Therese reminds us that each of us has been given all that we need from Heavenly Father. We are invited to look at the good gifts that the Father has placed in each of us and see His creativity and His generosity. Looking only at ourselves, we may think we may not have much; hence, we may fall into envy. However, looking at the whole Body of Christ, it begins to make sense why God has placed a particular gift in one and not in the other. These gifts are to be shared and not possessed solely by one. In the Body of Christ, we are invited to admire the goodness of God and goodness of those that share their gifts with others.
