Envy Will Destroy Us — Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermon

Summary

This video script delves into the pervasive role of jealousy in literature and human relationships, referencing figures like Shakespeare's Iago and biblical narratives. It explores envy as an 'irrational anger at the success of others,' contrasting it with ambition. Drawing from James's letter and Dante's 'Divine Comedy,' the speaker discusses how envy and ambition can lead to disorder and cruelty. The script concludes with a reflection on Jesus's teaching, using the metaphor of a child to illustrate humility, obedience, and living in the present moment as an antidote to envy and ambition.

Takeaways

• 📚 Jealousy is a recurring theme in great literature, such as Shakespeare's 'Othello' and Melville's 'Billy Budd', often driving the narrative.
• 🤔 Thomas Aquinas defines envy as 'an irrational anger at the success of others', highlighting its irrational nature.
• 👀 Gore Vidal's quote, 'When a friend of mine succeeds, something in me dies', captures the personal impact of envy.
• 👁️ Dante's 'Divine Comedy' metaphorically punishes the envious by sewing their eyelids shut, symbolizing their constant comparison with others.
• 🔄 Envy and ambition are closely related; one can lead to the other, with ambition sometimes used to overshadow the success of others.
• ⚖️ The Bible, particularly in the letter of James, links jealousy and selfish ambition as sources of disorder and foul practices.
• 💔 Envy is considered a 'capital sin', acting as a root that gives rise to other sins and negative behaviors.
• 🌐 Internal spiritual and psychological disintegration, as mentioned by James, often leads to external chaos and conflict.
• 👶 Jesus' act of embracing a child symbolizes humility, obedience, and living in the present moment, contrasting with the disciples' envy and ambition.
• 🙏 The message of the Gospel encourages followers to let go of envy and ambition, focusing instead on self-emptying love and service to God's kingdom.

Q & A

What role does jealousy play in literature and human relations according to the speaker?

Jealousy plays a prominent role in literature and human relations, often driving narratives and causing disorder and dysfunction in relationships.

How does Thomas Aquinas define envy?

Thomas Aquinas defines envy as an irrational anger at the success of others.

What is the connection between envy and ambition as discussed in the script?

Envy and ambition are closely related; envy can lead to putting others down, while ambition can lead to relentlessly pushing oneself ahead of others.

What is the significance of the eyelids being sewn shut in Dante's 'Divine Comedy'?

In 'Divine Comedy', the sewn eyelids symbolize the punishment for the envious who spent their lives looking at others' successes, thus being forced to focus inward in purgatory.

What does the speaker suggest as a solution to envy and ambition?

The speaker suggests emulating the qualities of a child—being commanded, not being preoccupied with past or future, and living joyfully in the present moment—as a solution to envy and ambition.

How does the speaker relate the teachings of Jesus to the issue of envy and ambition?

The speaker relates Jesus' teachings on self-emptying love and service to the kingdom of God as a counter to envy and ambition, emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment and serving others.

What does the speaker mean when he says that envy is a 'capital sin'?

The speaker refers to envy as a 'capital sin' because it is a root sin that gives rise to other sins and dysfunctions, much like a fountainhead.

Why does the speaker recommend reading the letter of James?

The speaker recommends reading the letter of James because it provides practical wisdom on the affairs of the world and the heart, particularly in understanding the connection between jealousy, selfish ambition, and disorder.

How does the speaker describe the image of a saint in relation to envy and ambition?

The speaker describes a saint as someone who has found wholeness and integration, radiating harmony and order outwardly, in contrast to those who are envious and ambitious.

What does the speaker imply by placing a child in the midst of the disciples in the script?

By placing a child in the midst of the disciples, the speaker implies that one should let go of envy and ambition, be open to being commanded by Christ, and live in the present moment like a child.

What is the significance of the disciples arguing about who is the greatest while Jesus is discussing self-emptying love?

The significance lies in the contrast between the disciples' focus on personal ambition and greatness versus Jesus' teachings on self-sacrifice and service, highlighting the disciples' misunderstanding of Jesus' mission.