Do we rejoice in the good that others do, especially when they seem to outshine you? Do we get upset and jealous because someone else has taken our place or taken the spotlight away from us? Envy and jealousy, its counterpart, are sinful because they lead us to sorrow over what should make us rejoice. The reason we may be sad or feel discontent over another's good fortune or excellence is the fear of losing our own value and excellence or being replaced by a rival. Envy is contrary to love. Both the object of love and the object of envy is our neighbor's good, but by contrary movements, since love rejoices in our neighbor's good, while envy grieves over it.
How can we overcome envy and jealousy? With the love that God puts into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. This love seeks the highest good of our neighbor. Apostle Paul says that "love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right." If we ask the Lord to fill us with His purifying love, we may rejoice in the good of others, even in those who may cross us at times or cause us difficulty.
