Jesus began to say that he would have to endure many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of religious law. They would kill him, but three days later he would rise again.

The strange thing is that those who led and sought his martyrdom and death were knowledgeable about the Scriptures. They never thought they were killing the Messiah promised by God.

This happens when we become passionate and, driven by religious jealousy, we can even envy the success of others in the spiritual field.

Jealousy and pride prevent us from seeing the manifold work of God in others of His children. We are not the only chosen ones, the favorites of the Lord, or the ones who have the “exclusive patent” from God to share the good news.

Those who crucified Jesus were not unbelieving soldiers; they were those who thought they had the exclusivity of divine teaching and fought for it until they became murderers.

Jealousy and pride threaten the unity of the Body of Christ. Instead of burning with envy, let us pray for those whom God is raising up alongside us to proclaim His Holy Name.