Jealousy can be debilitating, and it can ruin many relationships.  The consequences of this sin are not fully grasped by some. This is one sin that has major consequences. It has a ripple effect. Perhaps jealousy is the one sin that causes many relationships to go sour. It really affects how to relate with others. Let us pray the Lord may free all from jealousy. It is just a pitiable state of living.  Jealousy caused by insecurity prevents advancement of the person suffering from it.  Jealousy is wanting what other people have, not realizing God has given each plenty of talents for their own.  Jealousy stifles the mission.  Jealousy is what is shown in both the first reading and the Gospel reading.  In the first reading Joshua, who had served under Moses for many years becomes jealous because other people were prophesizing and not him.  How many years invested? How many years spent so that these people who did not even bother to show up for the meeting were also prophesying? Joshua had served Moses from his youth, but he got skipped over. He did not get his promotion. There were seventy people before him who got what he wanted.  Jealousy makes everything seem unjust.  How can Joshua working day in and day out to be Moses’ successor be overlooked! Not only was Joshua jealous of others but he was possessive of Moses himself. Jealousy leads to become possessive, Moses rebukes him gently saying, “Are you jealous for my sake?”  Certainly, jealousy arises from a lack of self-esteem, and it is so destructive in so many ways. It is a destroyer of relationships.  For wanting what others want, it destroys relationships with others due to undue competition.  Jealousy also destroys the relationship with God because instead of focusing on evangelization, which helps build the kingdom, there is emphasis in petty competitions. There are so many people to be saved from the fire that is not quenched and from the worm that never dies, than to spend time in comparisons. In the Gospel we see a man who is focusing on what is important, and the disciples of out jealousy trying to prevent him from doing his ministry of performing mighty deeds in the name of Jesus. Much can be learned from this man.  To focus on what is important: salvation of souls, and not to compete to see who is greater than the other.  There is so much need in the world of people needing a simple cup of water than to filled with jealousy.  If we are to compete, let us compete to win over people with kindness, with love, with respect. Let us compete for the salvation of souls for the greater glory of God.