2026-03-06 - Jealousy: The Seed of Violence Author: Fr. Camillus Nwaigwe
6th of March 2026
Friday in the Second Week of Lent, Year II
Gen 37:3-4,12-13,17-28
Mt 21:33-43,45-46
In the First Reading of today, we see the story of Joseph and his brothers. At first the problem seems small. Joseph is loved more by his father. But that preference awakens jealousy in the hearts of his brothers. The Scripture says, "They hated him and could not speak peaceably to him."
Notice how jealousy develops. It begins with comparison, resentment, then hatred. Before long, jealousy that started in the heart ends in violence. Joseph's brothers threw him into a pit and sold him into slavery. Jealousy rarely stays small; it grows if it is not confronted.
The same pattern is followed in the Gospel. Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants. The tenants were entrusted with a vineyard, but when the owner sent servants to collect the harvest, they beat and killed them. They later killed the heir. What began as greed and envy, ended in murder. Jesus tells this story because the religious leaders were already plotting against Him. Their jealousy of His influence and authority was leading them toward the violence of the Cross.
Friends, Jealousy has destroyed families, friendships, and even nations. It whispers dangerous lies like, "Why does he have more than you?" "Why is she appreciated more than you?" "Why is God blessing them and not you?" Instead of gratitude, jealousy creates bitterness. Instead of unity, it creates division.
The brothers of Joseph were twelve men meant to be united as a family, but jealousy nearly destroyed them.
The hidden forms of Jealousy today
Jealousy today may not throw people into pits, but it still harms others in subtle ways: speaking badly about someone's success,
undermining a colleague, refusing to rejoice in another person's progress, spreading rumors to damage someone's reputation. Violence does not always begin with weapons; sometimes it begins with words and attitudes.
The antidote to jealousy
The Gospel invites us to cultivate the opposite spirit: gratitude and generosity of heart. Instead of asking, "Why does he have this?"
Ask, "How can I thank God for what He has given me?" Instead of competing with others, learn to celebrate their blessings. God's gifts are not limited resources. Someone else's blessing does not diminish yours.
The brothers of Joseph allowed jealousy to grow until it became violence. The tenants in the Gospel allowed envy to grow until it led to murder. The lesson is clear: every act of violence begins as a small seed in the heart. If we uproot jealousy early, with gratitude, humility, and love, then our hearts become places where peace can grow instead of violence.
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