Daily Readings - Mon Jun 18 2018
1 Kings
1Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.2And after this Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money."3But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers."4And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.5But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, "Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?"6And he said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.' And he answered, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'"7And Jezebel his wife said to him, "Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."8So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city.9And she wrote in the letters, "Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people.10And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, 'You have cursed God and the king.' Then take him out and stone him to death."11And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them,12they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people.13And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones.14Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, "Naboth has been stoned; he is dead."15As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, "Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead."16And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
Matthew
38"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.42Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct narratives that invite us to reflect on our responses to injustice and evil. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Ahab's desire for Naboth's vineyard and Jezebel's cunning plan to seize it through deceit and violence. This narrative highlights the consequences of allowing desire and power to lead us down a path of manipulation and harm. Conversely, the Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus teaching on non-retaliation and love for one's enemies, offering a radical alternative to the cycles of vengeance and violence.
The context of these readings sets the stage for their messages. In 1 Kings, Ahab's kingdom is marked by corruption and abuse of power, illustrating the destructive nature of unchecked ambition. In Matthew, Jesus delivers this teaching as part of the Sermon on the Mount, where He challenges His followers to embrace a higher moral standard—one that transcends the law of retribution and instead advocates for mercy and compassion.
These readings relate through their exploration of how we respond to evil. While Ahab and Jezebel resort to deceit and force, Jesus teaches a way of non-violence and love. This contrast invites us to consider our own responses to injustices. In our daily lives, we often face situations where we must choose between reacting with anger or responding with patience and kindness. The readings encourage us to opt for the latter, trusting in God's justice rather than our own strength.
Applying these teachings to our lives, we are reminded that our responses to adversity should reflect the values of the Kingdom of God. Whether facing minor slights or significant injustices, we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This approach not only transforms our relationships but also aligns our hearts with God's will.
Ultimately, the moral lesson is clear: we are to choose the path of love and non-retaliation. By doing so, we trust in God's providence and justice, rather than resorting to manipulation or violence. This way of living is not only transformative for us but also serves as a witness to the redemptive power of love in a world often marked by conflict and division.