Envy

“According to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, it’s our human nature to set a higher value on the things we don’t have than on those we do have—and this can eventually bring us to God, once we’ve realized that all the world’s pleasures have not satisfied our deepest needs. Therefore, ask yourself honestly if you’ve received true and lasting satisfaction whenever you’ve finally obtained what you desired or envied. If not, this should, as St. Bernard says, convince you of the need to seek God above all else. Once you allow yourself to be consumed by this desire, you will begin making great spiritual progress.” –Fr. Joseph Esper