God meant it for good
Envy kills. This is the basic truth that can be discerned from the readings for Mass today.
In the first reading, Joseph barely avoids death at the hands of his brothers due to their envy of him. At the last minute, they decide to sell him into slavery instead of killing him, although, due to the conditions enslaved people endured at the time, they most likely thought that he would be dead before too long.
In the Gospel reading, we hear of the tenants who were so jealous of their master’s wealth that they killed his son in order to maintain their small share of his wealth.
We often confuse jealousy with envy. Jealousy can be dangerous because it can lead us to hoard our resources, or be afraid that we will lose what little we may have. This is damaging, but not as damaging as envy. When I’m envious, I not only want what someone else has, but I do not want them to have it. This means that envy leads to resentment and anger. I doubt that any of us have actually killed someone out of envy, but we may have killed someone’s reputation, or allowed a friendship to slowly die due to envy.
A good way to counter envy is through generosity. In fact, when Joseph finally faced his brothers in Egypt, he responded with generosity and forgave them, telling them, “(Y)ou meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” (Gen. 50:20)
This Lent, I feel called to not only fast from things like desserts or candy, but to also fast from sins such as envy or anger. Choosing to lay down my life in generosity to serve my brothers and sisters, is a good way to overcome those sins and, instead, grow in virtue.
Aimee Godfrey is the Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Lansing, and the Chair of the Department for the Human Person and Life. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her family.