I AM SPECIAL: SO ARE YOU! SO, WHY THE JEALOUSY? (Cf. Psalm 139:14)

God created everything in his love and at the end of all his creation, He admired it and saw that it was good.

Human beings were the last thing God created to take care of all other creatures. In God's great love, he made us in his image and likeness. What a great handiwork of God we are! What other creature of God was created in his image? None but we humans!

Psalm 139 described our uniqueness, giftedness and our preciousness in the eyes of god. As we are uniquely created, so we are diversely gifted (Cf. 1 Cor. 12:4-11). But our various gifts are to be used to achieve a common goal which is to praise and glorify god, and to build up the community. It is not for us to become competitive, jealous or envious of one another (Cf. Rom. 12:4-8;1 Cor. 12:12-31).

We may say, I have this weakness and the other seem to be more gifted and blessed than I am. Note, however, that as we are uniquely created, so we are uniquely gifted. No one has it all. The weakness in us is the strength in another and vice-versa. We can learn from the strength of others and improve on our weakness, not breaking ourself down by jealousy.

Appreciating the giftedness of others is recognizing the God in them because He is the giver of all good gifts (Cf. James 1:17).

If we love ourselves as a special work of God and see others also, with their numerous giftedness as blessings from God, we will gradually ward-off the feelings of jealousy, envy and the tendency to be competitive. No matter how well we may know how to do something; someone will always arise who knows how to do it better!

I am fearfully and wonderfully made and endowed, and so are you!

Consequently, bring your gift and let me bring mine. We will join it together to the greater glory of God, for our sanctification and for the good of the whole world!

-SR. MARY-BLESSING ESU, PHJC.