Monday, January 11, 2010

Why them and not me?

Two great readings as we jumped back into Ordinary Time at Mass today.

In the first one, Elkanah gives food to both his wives, though Peninnah was bugged that hubby gives Hannah a double portion because she's childless (and Peninnah never lets her forget it).

In the Gospel, Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee, where he calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow him. Now, there were more than two boats along the shore, and certainly more than four fishermen there. What made Jesus choose them and not the guys in the next boat? I like to think about the boats tied up between Simon and Andrews' and James and Johns', and the guys who worked on them. Imagine them seeing Jesus walk past, say something to S., A., J., & J., and they all walk away. Imagine them wondering, "What's wrong with us, Jesus? What are we, chopped liver?"

How many times do we forget about what God has given us or done for us, and focus on what we don't have or didn't get because someone else did?

Scott Hahn had a great analogy to tell the difference between envy and jealousy. Envy, he said, is when you see your neighbor's new car and decide to get a second job to make money to buy yourself one. Jealousy is when you see your neighbor's new car and decide to scratch the paint job with your keys.

3 comments:

Victoria said...

It's Peninnah who never lets her forget it because she's jealous of Hannah.. Elkanah said to her,"Hannah, why are you crying and why are you not eating?...Am I not more to you than ten sons?" Elkanah only gave Hannah one portion of food even though he loved her more than he loved Peninnah.

Victoria said...

I saw that you had not posted my post and wondered why. I then read the USCCB readings for 1 Samuel 1-8 and saw the double portion part but not the Elkanah never letting her forget that she had no children.

My missal - New Jerusalem translation - says that Hannah received one portion and the RSCV also says one portion.

RSCV:
5 and, although he loved Hannah, he would give Hannah only one portion, because the LORD had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her sorely, to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb

New Jerusalem:
to Hannah, however he would give only one portion, although he loved her more, since the Lord had made her barren. Her rival would taunt her ....

Father Jay Toborowsky said...

You're correct. I typed the wrong name. Thanks.