Love Does Not Envy

The lecture: “Love Does Not Envy” by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III defines envy as an inner ache that wishes for the removal of another’s blessing or for that blessing to transfer to the envier. It points to biblical and historical examples (the devil, Cain, Joseph’s brothers, the Pharisees and priests) to show that envy can lead to conspiracies and evils, but it is not a miraculous “evil eye” rather it is a feeling and internal inclination. It shows that demons envy the saints and try to deceive them with illusions and visions but their power is restricted by the will of God. In contrast, true love does not envy; it asks for the good of the beloved and rejoices in his success and avoids empty praise, for the saints hide their virtues out of humility not out of fear of demonic envy. Practical advice is given: do not fear the envious, be patient and do not repay evil with evil, and ask that your zeal be a good zeal that leads you to imitate virtues.

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