On Fr. Simon Says on Relevant Radio, listeners heard a reflection from the Book of Wisdom that reveals something profound about who we are — and why the devil hates us for it.
“God formed man to be imperishable, the image of His own nature He made them, but by the envy of the devil, death entered the world.” (Wisdom 2:23–24)
Father Simon explained that this verse, though from a book often missing in Protestant Bibles, has been treasured by the Church since the earliest centuries as the inspired Word of God. And it unveils a truth that many overlook: the devil’s jealousy of humanity.
At a charismatic gathering years ago, a Pentecostal minister once said, “The devil is jealous of humanity,” but admitted he couldn’t find a verse to back it up. As Father smiled, “Well, I’m Catholic — and I do!”
So what does humanity have that the devil wants? The fallen angel is powerful, brilliant, and immortal. Yet God gave to mankind something He never shared with the angels — the ability to create life.
“The angels do not reproduce,” Father said. “God shared a privilege with humanity that He did not share with the angels.”
Through the union of man and woman, God allows human beings to participate in His creative power — to bring forth an immortal soul. This is what the devil envies most. Because he cannot create, he only corrupts. And so, out of envy, he seeks to destroy marriage, sterilize love, and mock God’s creative plan.
“The devil hates children. He hates marriage. He hates art, music, and beauty,” Father continued. “He has done a splendid job of creating sterile relationships — through abortion, artificial birth control, and the distortions of marriage that are popular today.”
Even the arts and architecture have become battlegrounds. The devil loathes beauty because beauty reflects God. “We live in an era of ugly churches and boring, ridiculous music,” Father lamented, “and that is no accident.”
But Wisdom also reminds us that “the souls of the just are in the hand of God.” Justice, Father explained, is not about legalistic fairness but about right relationship — giving to God and to others what is due. True justice reflects the very nature of God, who is both merciful and holy.
Finally, Father likened the purification of the soul to the refining of gold. He described watching a silversmith melt metal until it glowed red-hot. The smith knew it was ready only when he could see his reflection in it.
“This is what God does to us,” he said. “He turns up the fire until He can see His image in us.”
As gold in the furnace, we are proved by love. Even suffering becomes a reflection of the Cross — the place where envy was conquered by sacrificial love.
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