“Today’s reading tells a story that is very real and very familiar. Saul is king. David is young, gifted, and successful. At first, Saul is happy. But when the people start singing David’s praises, something inside him changes. He begins to compare. He feels threatened. And slowly, joy turns into jealousy.
The Bible says, “Saul eyed David with suspicion from that day on.”
Notice this: Saul’s problem did not start with anger or violence. It started in the heart. A simple comparison became resentment. And resentment, if we don’t deal with it, can slowly poison us.
Let’s be honest—this can happen to any of us.
We feel happy for someone… until they start doing better than us.
We support people… until they receive more recognition.
We smile on the outside, but inside we feel uneasy.
Saul teaches us this important lesson: when we stop thanking God for our own blessings, we start resenting the blessings of others.
But today’s reading also gives us a beautiful contrast—Jonathan.
Jonathan had every reason to feel threatened. He was the king’s son. The throne was supposed to be his. But instead of jealousy, he chose love. Instead of silence, he chose courage. Jonathan spoke up for David. He reminded Saul of the good David had done, of his faithfulness, of his innocence.
Jonathan shows us what a good heart looks like.
A good heart celebrates the gifts of others.
A good heart protects life.
A good heart speaks when something is wrong.
We need more Jonathans today—in our families, our parishes, our communities.
People who will not spread envy, but encouragement.
People who will not join gossip, but defend what is right.
People who will not compete, but cooperate.
And maybe the most inspiring part of this story is this: Jonathan’s courage saved a life. One honest voice, spoken in love, stopped violence.
That means our choices matter.
Our words matter.
Our attitude matters.
Today, let us ask the Lord for a humble heart—a heart that can rejoice when others succeed, a heart that is free from jealousy, and a heart that chooses goodness over pride.
May we learn to celebrate, not compete; to protect, not destroy; and to love, not envy—so that God’s work can continue through us.”