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Good day dear hearts, I love you. As I was thinking of what to write the thought of my smashed ID bracelet came to mind. I'm giving my age away in telling you I attended high school in the sixties. The big thing then was you gave your girlfriend your ID bracelet with your name on it and the rule was she would wear it all the time and openly display it. Relationships back then lasted two weeks at the most. You would get your ID bracelet back and give it to the next girl. In my case it was time for me to move on, but apparently not for her. My new girlfriend was her best friend, and she became enraged with jealousy. So much so when she returned to me my ID bracelet, it came back smashed up in a paper bag. That was the talk of the school for about a week. As I thought of this incident the thought that came to mind was jealousy. As I go on in this column this week and next, I'll be interchanging the word jealousy with covet, envy and pride. Those three words are synonymous with the word jealousy.

In looking at the 10 Commandments, I find the last one says, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." In other words, don't covet or be jealous of what someone else has. Jealousy is an emotion of displeasure over someone else's good fortune. In looking at the list of the 10 Commandments, I wondered why "do not covet" is the last one listed.

When we experience this emotion of displeasure over someone else's good fortune we do constant comparing, which is typical of what we do and can lead us to discontent within our own lives, resentment and bitterness to others. If we allow these negative emotions to go unchecked all kinds of havoc could occur in our life. We can poison a relationship with a loved one by constantly displaying this emotion and accusing a loved one of being too friendly towards someone. Many times, we laugh and view this as childish, and the romantic thinks it's cute when someone's feelings are so strong for someone when they display this emotion. Most times, these emotions are dealt with and are under control. But when the emotion of jealousy is not dealt with, it can flare into suspicion, anger and hostility. As small an issue as this may be according to some, the failure of us keeping the tenth commandment causes us to violate the other nine. Let me explain. One of the things I like to do, particularly in the dead of winter is watch cop shows. Frequently there is what's called a crime of passion which will deal with a personal relationship, a scheme to take someone or something from someone. In fact, sadly, in 2017 or 2018 I did two funerals for two separate men, at two separate times in one year who were murdered. Both local men in our community and both crimes occurred out of jealousy, envy and resentment.  Jealousy arrives from a heart overcome by many things and I'm going to touch on three of them today.

Envy. We see some of our neighbors renovating their house and have the new car in their driveway while our car is not so new, and our house could use some remodeling. What we think in our discontent is that if we have what our neighbors have that will make us happy. There's a saying that goes, "The grass is greener on the other side, until you get there."

Selfishness. We are always comparing ourselves to what others have. Sometimes, so much so, we miss and don't see the blessings God has blessed us with. Instead of rejoicing over someone's good fortunes, we focus on what we don't have, and we force situations to keep up with the Jones' by spending money we don't have, just to keep up with them.

Pride. Seeing the success of other people can make us feel inadequate. To build ourselves up, we may belittle them or their accomplishments. Oh, that Jones family! They think they are something because they did this or have that. When we feel this emotion it's not something to be excused, rationalized or ignored. We need to confess these emotions as sin and ask God to take away these feelings and focus on what God has blessed you with.

Next week I will explain how when we violate the tenth commandment, we can violate the other 9. When you have time read 1 Samuel 18:5-16, because we are going to talk about that next week. God Bless.

Lord, watch over our community. Bless our children. Heal the sick and broken-hearted. Let your Spirit hover over our community. Amen.

Contact me anytime. Pastor Vince Chiaramonte, 570-853-3988, Susquehanna Christian Community Church, 1361 Main Street, clearmountain2158@gmail.

We welcome and serve all in Christ's name at Christ Episcopal Church. Christ Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Delaware & Dundaff Streets in Forest City, is a Healing Church. It is a place where anyone of any age can step inside and find healing.

Christ Church is well known for its ongoing strong involvement with families, neighbors and friends in and around the local area. Fr. Bill McGinty is offering a once monthly healing service the first Sunday of every month. The next service is on Sunday, August 4, 2024, beginning at 9:00am.

There are no questions asked or requirements needed to step inside the church's big red doors, merely bring an open heart to receive the Lord's Healing Love. Light refreshments follow each service. To enjoy faith, food and fun, join us on Sundays at 9:00am.