PODCAST - Press sideways triangle below to
listen
or click here if there is no triangle
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
Saturday 5th
Week of Lent
Washington Retreat
House
April 12, 2014
COMPARE & DESPAIR
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
James Martin = contemporary Jesuit spiritual
writer
Ø
In one of his books, he offers 3 simple words of
advice: “Compare & despair” “Compare & despair”
Ø
His point = when we start comparing selves w/ others
à feel less than they &
B down on selves
Ø
One of results of this is age-old vice called
envy
ENVY IN GOSPEL ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Envy is dangerous and can lead to neg &
destructive behavior
Ø
What’s happening in today’s Gospel
Ø
Chief priests & Pharisees envy
accomplishmnts of J
Ø
Envy contorts and distorts them as persons &
leads them down path that becomes terribly destructive
APPLICATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
So, if we can’t think about the
kind of car that our neighbor is driving…
Ø
Or up-scale senior community where friend lives…
Ø
Or the great health an elderly neighbor has…
Ø
Without feeling less about yourself
or down on yourself or maybe catty or bitter towards those others, there may
well B some NV at work w/i us
Ø
We’re guilty of envy:
Ø
When we find it difficult 2 celebrate w/ others
who’ve had something good happen 2 them
Ø
When diminish accomplishments of others w/ negative
talk
Ø
When relish hearing abt one’s failure or fall fr
grace
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
For them, & 4 us, 2 tame R envy, need 2 look
at R own lives & especially R blessings
Ø
Look at what we have and have been given by G instead
of what others have & 2B thankful 4 that
Ø
This curbs and tames our tendency to envy
Ø
It helps us to heed that warning of James
Martin: “Compare and despair”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
