Sexagesima 2010

Cain kills Abel out of envy. If pride is the first vice separating the soul from God, envy is the second. Envy is pride acted out and expressed towards another. It is worse than pride in a way, for it spreads the narcissist’s ill will all around. Not content to be loveless and friendless in isolation, the proud man must begrudge every other man of his happiness and blessing. There is plenty of my pride to go around, and damned if it won’t deny you your joy and love. Abel is a figure of Christ. Cain cannot bear Abel’s blessings and goodness coming from God, and we cannot bear Christ’s offering of the same. We truly kill Christ in himself and in others because of envy. But unless we bear his goodness and its place in the hearts of our neighbours we cannot be saved.

© W.J. Martin†