Jealousy

Do not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another. Galations 5: 29

Whoever made you to envy
Swarthy man or fair woman
I will send three to overcome it
Holy Spirit, Father, Son .
Carmina Gadelica

Jealousy can cripple, whether it is in oneself, or whether one is the victim of others’ jealousy. We need to guard against it in ourselves. The Worship Book of the Celtic Monastery at Cerne, Ireland contained this petition: ‘Guard my eyes for me, Jesus, Son of Mary, lest seeing another’s wealth make me covetous’.

What can you do if fellow Christians who work with you become jealous of you? Stand back, quietly do the essential things that have to be done, but do not aggravate the situation by pushing the boundaries. Place the situation into the hands of God and ask God to deal with it as and when God chooses. Only time will tell whether there has to be a break or whether love can replace jealousy. For jealousy feeds on a deficit of affirming love, so pray in the cure. The Three who can overcome jealousy are the affirming Father, Spirit, Son.

I will start this day
In the presence of the holy angels of heaven
Without malice, without jealousy, without envy
Without fear of any one under the sun
The holy Son of God to shield me.

God, kindle in my heart within
A flame of love to my neighbour
And to my foe, to my friend, to all
To the winner, to the loser
O Son of the loveliest Mary

Without malice, without jealousy, without envy
Without fear of anyone under the sun
The holy Son of God to shield me
Carmina Gadelica (adapted)