Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 13, 2022
First Reading: 1 Kings 21.1-16
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.
Psalm 5
1Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.2Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.3O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.4For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.5The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.6You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.7But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.8Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.9For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.10Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.11But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.12For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
Gospel: Matthew 5.38-42
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 values and actions. The first reading from 1 Kings 21:1-16 tells the story of Ahab, who desires Naboth's vineyard. When Naboth refuses to sell, Ahab's wife, Jezebel, orchestrates Naboth's death through false accusations, allowing Ahab to seize the land. This story highlights the dangers of greed, abuse of power, and the consequences of injustice.
The Gospel reading from Matthew 5:38-42 presents a contrasting message. Jesus teaches about non-resistance to evil, encouraging his followers to turn the other cheek and be generous. This teaching challenges the traditional "eye for an eye" mentality, promoting a higher moral standard of love and forgiveness.
These readings relate by presenting two approaches to conflict and desire. The first reading illustrates the destructive path of greed and power, while the Gospel offers a transformative approach of humility and kindness. Together, they invite us to consider how we handle our desires and conflicts in daily life.
In our own lives, we face choices between pursuing our interests at the expense of others or embracing patience and generosity. The moral lesson here is the importance of choosing humility and justice over greed and power. Let us strive to live by Jesus' teachings, fostering a spirit of love and forgiveness in our interactions, thereby creating a more just and compassionate world.