On the financial aspect of my wedding in 1995, the priest, now His Eminence, Jose Fuerte Cardinal Advincula advised me: “Arturo, remember that when you receive your salary, give it all to your wife, Monette.”

“Yes, Father,” I replied.

For almost 30 years now, I have proven myself faithful to that pledge.

To finance my wedding, I withdrew P500,000 from my savings in the Salary Loan and Savings Association of Government Auditors (SLAGA) where my savings had gone beyond the million-peso threshold — plus my savings from my foreign travels to Europe and twice to the USA up to 1981 had rewarded handsomely — that enabled me to support my first family generously. I continued studying and did not stop pursuing other courses.

One could save a lot if the study grant or scholarship was in America because you could opt to stay in a dormitory or a relative’s home instead of a hotel for which the accommodation allocation was for first-class.

My scholarship grant through the College of Public Administration of the University of the Philippines — under the International Union of Local Authorities in Berlin, Trier, Cologne, The Hague, Brussels, Luxembourg, Paris, Versailles, London and Rome, etc. — was special and life changing because the 22 of us from different countries, mostly non-English-speaking, were treated as guests by the Lord Mayors of the cities, in addition to learning the culture and economic development of the countries we visited.

Again, this was my gift from God, whom I served every morning for over four years by assisting at the Holy Mass said by the reverend fathers of the Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Roxas City.

One could imagine how it was being welcomed by the Lord Mayors — with wine, music, cultural shows and after dinner speeches. I was the favorite because I was proficient in English. When we were in Berlin, the German Foundation for International Development arranged with the authorities of East Berlin to hold a special football game between local clubs in the Olympic Stadium where Hitler held the 1936 Olympics.

I impressed my supervisor, directors and chairmen of the Commission on Audit (CoA) in my early years in the audit institution. By 1972, I had earned five first-grade eligibilities; one master’s degree from the University of the Philippines; earned excellent grades in masteral units in English at the Ateneo; obtained three other college degrees; and earned a recommendation for appointment as Undersecretary of Budget and Management in 1999.

My good fortune, however, brought me to the world of unschooled, envious and sinful souls.

According to Pope Francis, envy is a destructive sin that can lead to conflict and even war, stemming from a false image of God and a lack of appreciation for others’ gifts. It is characterized by a desire to have what others have, and it can lead to hatred, resentment, and a lack of joy.

On 8 May, I shall relate to you what St. Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle, Kant and Plato say about envy and how two foreign priests — James B. Reuter, S.J., and Pierre Tritz, S.J. — helped me live a life of peace, success and joy.

Email: artbesana@gmail.com