Catholic Magazine

Catholic Reflections/2000

October 2000

Feature Article

The Problem With Envy

�� --by Father Phil Bloom

According to Aristotle a power which distinguishes human beings is our ability to imitate.* By it, for example, we learn languages. Where I am in Peru children can speak Spanish and Aymara (a complex Indian language) without confusing the two. Our power of imitation not only enables us to learn languanges, but an entire culture which includes ways of eating, dressing, relaxing and relating to others.

In learning languages and cultures we put our power of imitation to good use. However, it can also be used very badly. For example, children see adults smoking and desire to do the same. On television they watch humorous characters talking with little respect - and they imitate them. Television reaches to remote corners of the world (like here in the Altiplano of Peru) with images of clothes styles, fancy cars, beautiful homes, etc. The people see it and want the same. The desire may not be negative in itself, but it can easily lead to what this Sunday's Gospel describes: envy.

James and John observed the way civil rulers governed and they too desired posts of authority. For them Jesus was a man of great expectations - he attracted huge crowds by his way of speaking and his healing powers. The two brothers wanted to secure positions for themselves when he made his move on Jerusalem. The other apostles got angry - not because they saw things more clearly, but because they too dreamed of civil power. In a word they fell victims to envy.

I had a terrible experience of envy when I was a young priest. One of my parishioners had everything which I felt would make me happy: a beautiful wife, some great kids, a lovely home. I especially envied his profession - it seemed more exciting than the humdrum work of the parish, particularly the endless meetings and public relations (often not responding to reality, but "perceptions" and gossip). One day he asked for an appointment. I really did not want to meet with him because I thought it would make me more sad, but I finally did. In twenty non-stop minutes he poured out his heart, how empty and miserable he felt. As he finished he said, "Father, I have to make a confession. I have always envied you!"

We seldom glimpse the suffering of the other person - nor do we often appreciate our unique blessings. Jesus chides the apostles for envying secular authorities - and each other. He offers another way. "Take up your cross and follow me." Embrace the apostolate with its humiliations and suffering - as well as great joys. In a word, imitate Jesus himself. By doing so we put our power of imitation to its greatest use.

Father Phil Bloom

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News From The Domestic Church

The Nurses

Three nurses died and went to Heaven where they were met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter.

To the first, he asked, "What did you do on Earth and why should you go to heaven?"

"I was a nurse in an inner-city hospital," she replied. "I worked to bring healing and peace to the poor, suffering city children."

"Very noble," said St. Peter. "You may enter." And in through the gates she went.

To the next, he asked the same question, "So what did you do on Earth?"

"I was a nurse at a missionary hospital in Africa," she replied. "For many years, I worked with a skeleton crew of doctors and nurses who tried to reach out to as many peoples and tribes with a hand of healing and with a message of God's love."

"How touching," said St. Peter. "You too may enter." And in she went.

He then came to the last nurse, to whom he asked, "So, what did you do back on Earth?"

After some hesitation, she explained, "I was just a nurse at an H.M.O."

St. Peter pondered this for a moment, and then said, "Okay, you may enter also."

"Whew!" said the nurse. "For a moment there, I thought you weren't going to let me in."

"Oh, you can come in," said St. Peter, "but you can only stay for three days..."

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submitted by --Jackie Galloway

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Rome and Haircuts

A man was getting a haircut prior to a trip to Rome. He mentioned the trip to the barber who responded, "Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded & dirty. You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"

"We're taking TWA," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"

"TWA?" exclaimed the barber. "That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"

"We'll be at the downtown International Marriott."

"That dump! That's the worst hotel in the city. The rooms are small, the service is surly and they're overpriced. So, whatcha doing when you get there?"

"We're going to go to see the Vatican and we hope to see the Pope."

"That's rich," laughed the barber. "You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."

A month later, the man again came in for his regular haircut. The barber asked him about his trip to Rome.

"It was wonderful," explained the man, "not only were we on time in one of TWA's brand new planes, but it was overbooked and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a beautiful 28 year old stewardess who waited on me hand and foot. And the hotel - it was great! They'd just finished a $25 million remodeling job and now it's the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us the presidential suite at no extra charge!"

"Well," muttered the barber, "I know you didn't get to see the pope."

"Actually, we were quite lucky, for as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder and explained that the pope likes to personally meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait the pope would personally greet me. Sure enough, five minutes later the pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down as he spoke a few words to me."

"Really?" asked the Barber. "What'd he say?"

He said, "Where'd you get that terrible haircut?"

submitted by --Jackie Galloway

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Don't Despair

A nun was sitting at a window in her convent one day when she was handed a letter from home. Upon opening it a $10 bill dropped out. She was most pleased at receiving the gift from her home folks, but as she read the letter her attention was distracted by the actions of a shabbily dressed stranger who was leaning against a post in front of the convent.

She couldn't get him off her mind and thinking that he might be in financial difficulties. She took the $10 bill and wrapped it in a piece of paper, on which she had written, "Don't despair, Sister Eulalia." She threw it out of the window to him. He picked it up, read it, looked at her with a puzzled expression, tipped his hat and went off down the street.

The next day she was in her room saying her prayers when she was told that a man was at her door who insisted on seeing her.

She went down and found the shabbily dressed stranger waiting for her. Without saying a word he handed her a roll of bills. When she asked what the bills were for he replied, "That's the sixty bucks you have coming. Don't Despair paid 5-1."

submitted by---Jackie Galloway

Quote Of The Month

"Your Cross"

The everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross that He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost Heart. This cross He now sends to you. He has considered with with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His Devine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own hands to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alm of the all-merciful love of God. --St. Francis de Sales

submitted by --Bob Gold

Prayer for October

To Protect Life

Loving God, I thank you for the gift of life you gave and continue to give to me and to all of us. Merciful God, I ask your pardon and forgiveness for my own failure and the failure of all people to respect and foster all forms of life in our universe. Gracious God, I pray that with your grace, I and all people will reverence, protect, and promote all life and that we will be especially sensitive to the life of the unborn, the abused, neglected, disabled, and the elderly. I pray, too, that all who make decisions about life in any form will do so with wisdom, love, and courage. Living God, I praise and glorify you as Father, Source of all life, as Son, Savior of our lives, and as Spirit, Sanctifier of our lives. Amen.

Sister Mary Margaret Johanning, S.S.N.D.
Nihil Obstat: Joseph F. Martino
Imprimatur: Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua
Archbishop of Philadelphia, June 1994

Prayer Intention for October

Since October is Respect for Life Month, it is only fitting that we pray:

"That all might come to a greater respect for life, from the moment of conception until natural death".

Patron Saint for October

St. Francis of Assisi
Religious
October 4

St. Francis of Assisi was born Francis Bernardone in 1181 at Assisi Italy. His father was a wealthy textile merchant. Francis joined the army at a young age and was captured in an unsuccesful siege on the town of Perugia. After spending one year as prisoner, he was set free. He then tried to rejoin the army, but became ill. During this time, he began meditating on the Lord while spending time in a church which was in ruins. He later received a vision in which God told him to rebuild His Church. In order to obtain money to repair the church, he sold some of his father's goods. This angered his father greatly. And he brought charges against him to the bishop. After this, he renounced all worldly goods and devoted himself to ministering to the poor, and living a life of simplicity and poverty. His example soon drew attention and with 11 followers founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1210 under the permission of Pope Innocent III. The religious order grew rapidly and within a short time had several thousand members. His In 1212, he was joined by Clara Sciffi. And with his help she founded a religious order of nuns, which later became known as the Poor Clares. In 1224 St. Francis received the stigmata, which caused him constant pain for the last two years of his life. Francis again fell ill and died on October 3, 1226.

prayer: Father Almighty, by the example and intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, grant us the graces and courage to renounce all desire for the things of this world, that we might better focus on your Son Jesus, and follow His example in bringing the Good News to everyone we meet, especially your beloved poor. -Amen.

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