There is a certain company with branches nationwide whose owners are so pious that the corporate culture includes a weekly bible study and Mass every Wednesday Attendance in either is not compulsory, but many avail of these extras since they’re free and are held after work hours. Because of this, one might think that company is already the ideal workplace, unburdened by negative tendencies among co-workers, but that is not the case. Just like any company populated by workers with all sorts of socio-economic, psycho-emotional, academic and religious backgrounds, it has its share of workplace woes, and the most common of them is the envy and jealousy of those in managerial positions.
We know that the higher you go up the corporate ladder, the slimmer your chances of getting to the top position, thus the ambitious ones become more competitive among themselves and less tolerant of their “competitors.” ft is not surprising then to find here situations similar to today’s gospel where envy and jealousy may beset brothers (managers) who compete for the favors of the father (big boss). One manager may say about another, “How come he’s being promoted sooner when I’ve been here longer?”
Here is where the fruit of the “spiritual perks”-bible study and Mass-may manifest. Those who have benefited from these can see God’s justice beyond an apparently unjust situation and therefore can forgive easily If they have taken to heart the graces and blessings they have been given through hours of bible study and the Mass, they would know that all of us are called to take a good look at ourselves at our worst, be grateful for whatever we find, and be humble enough to trust that at times we don’t get what we want, it’s because the Father in heaven is preparing us for something much better.