Simon the Envious Priest

Synopsis     2Maccabees3:5-19     3/22/2021 

Simon was a priest. And he was responsible for the care of the temple in Jerusalem. However, he quarreled with the Onias the High Priest. Specifically, Onias had prevented him from regulating the city market.  

So, Simon approached Apollonius, who worked for the king. In order to undermine Onias’ authority, Simon falsely reported that the temple treasury contained too much wealth. Furthermore, he offered to help transfer the temple treasury into the hands of the king.  

Apollonius reported the situation to the king. And so, the king commissioned a wise man from his court. The man’s name was Heliodorus. So, his job was to confiscate the temple treasures. . 

Almost immediately, Heliodorus went to Jerusalem. As an esteemed representative of the king, Onias received him graciously. But then, Heliodorus announced his intent to take the treasury money. Of course, this news devastated Onias. And so, all of Jerusalem lamented that the king intended to confiscate the temple treasury.  

The priests reserved funds for helping widows and orphans. And Heliodoris intended to take these funds. Also, there was money on deposit from wealthy patrons. So, all the priests and ordinary Israelites living in Jerusalem cried out to God with a great lament.  

Simon the Envious Priest 

Simon envied the authority of Onias. He wanted to do what he wanted without the constraint of his authority. As a result, the entire community suffered. 

Envy 

Envy has the power to overwhelm my attention. It happens when I covet another person’s stuff. But more than just coveting, I also convince myself that the other person does not deserve what they have.  

Then, my mind obsesses over the apparent injustice. I can’t let it go. And so, it becomes like a cancer in my soul. This more than any other moral failure threatens the salvation of my soul.  

Envy and anger shorten one’s life, worry brings on premature old age.” Sirach 30:24