“Ask a Priest: What Can I Do About My Jealousy?”

Q: How do I handle jealousy? I am jealous of others who have more faith than I do. Thank you. – J.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: A good first step to overcoming jealousy is to remember that all good things come from God.

If a person is charitable, that is a grace [read: gift] of God.

If a person is patient, that is a grace of God.

If a person is humble, that too is a grace of God.

The only thing we can call our own is sin.

What all this means is that, ideally, we should give thanks when we see good qualities in other people. Their good qualities are the handiwork of God, so to speak.

Through these gifts, God is also giving the rest of us examples to imitate and aspire to. Which is even more reason that we should be grateful for these examples.

Just try imagining the opposite scenario. Imagine that everyone around you were scoundrels. They lied, they cheated, they abused their spouses, they never prayed, never did an act of kindness — would that make your life happier?

Perhaps it’s worth asking the Holy Spirit for the grace to appreciate the beautiful ways he is working in the lives of people around you. For related reading, see this Carmelite’s post.

Oh, and ask for an increase in the gift of faith, too.

Count on my prayers.

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