Genesis 4:1-15, 25 / Mark 8:11-13
The sin of jealousy is sometimes given the imagery of a green-eyed monster.
Whether it is green-eyed or not, yet a monster it surely is.
Because it makes demands, and it demands utter destruction.
It can be someone's project, possessions, reputations or even the life of a person, which is the ultimate destruction.
Yet the destruction of humiliation of another person does not benefit us in any way whatsoever.
But we fail to see it. All we see is green; all that we become is a monster.
In the 1st reading, Cain failed to see it although God had warned him that his jealousy was like a crouching beast hungering to devour him.
In the gospel, the Pharisees also failed to see their jealousy of Jesus.
Their demand for signs was in itself a sign of their jealousy.
So it is necessary to check our thoughts, our words and our actions.
They are signs to us of what is happening in us.
We need to heed these signs, reflect upon them in our prayer, and with God's grace, we will master the devouring beast and the green-eyed monster of jealousy within us.