Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 466 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 466 - Part II. What is envy, and how can you fight against it?

(Youcat answer - repeated) Envy is sadness and annoyance at the sight of another’s well-being and the desire to acquire unjustly what others have. Anyone who wishes other people ill commits a serious sin. Envy decreases when we try to rejoice more and more in the accomplishments and gifts of others, when we believe in God’s benevolent providence for ourselves as well, and when we set our hearts on true wealth, which consists of the fact that we already participate in God’s life through the Holy Spirit.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2539) Envy is a capital sin. It refers to the sadness at the sight of another's goods and the immoderate desire to acquire them for oneself, even unjustly. When it wishes grave harm to a neighbor it is a mortal sin: St. Augustine saw envy as "the diabolical sin" (Cf. St. Augustine, De catechizandis rudibus 4, 8 PL 40, 315-316). "From envy are born hatred, detraction, calumny, joy caused by the misfortune of a neighbor, and displeasure caused by his prosperity" (St. Gregory the Great Moralia in Job 31, 45: PL 76, 621).      

Reflecting and meditating 

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2553) Envy is sadness at the sight of another's goods and the immoderate desire to have them for oneself. It is a capital sin. 

(This question: What is envy, and how can you fight against it? is continued)