By Olivia Obijiaku
The Rector of St Joseph Minor Seminary, Zaria, Rev Fr. Dr. Michael Bazai has charged his students and Mass participants to appreciate the good deeds of others, cautioning them against jealousy and envy. He gave the charge during a Mass in the school chapel on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Leaning on the first reading of the day, in which King Saul was angry because the women credited David more than him, the clergyman explained that though good deeds attract attention in a positive sense, sometimes, they attract the opposite. He intimated that, initially, Saul was happy with David, for killing their common enemy, Goliath, until the woman sang their comparative praises.
The formator asserted, “My brothers and sisters, good things attract attention in a positive sense, because of the good that has come out or that will come out from such good deeds. People will be happy because of such good deeds, because such good deeds bring joy, happiness and progress and in some instance, liberation.”
“But for others, good things attract jealousy, backbiting, hatred, character assassination. They ask, ‘Why that person, not me? Why are people saying good things about that person? These can actually attract negative attention. That was actually what happened between Saul and David. This means that good things can sometimes attract jealous.”
“David, a small boy killed Goliath, and the people were happy. The women sang praises of two big people, Saul and David. But they praised David, the small boy more than the king and the king was very angry. ‘Why should they praise this young man, more than me, the king? He became jealous because the women sang and praised this young man more than him.”
“Some people can be angry with you because, not because you are doing something good, but because, you are doing something good; or because you are being praised. Some people can become your enemy because you are good. But when you stand your ground, God will defend you. He will look for who will defend you, the son of your enemy, to help you. Jonathan, son of Saul was the one God used to save David.”
