Daily Readings - Tue Jun 19 2018
1 Kings
17Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite:18"Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it.19Say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' Then say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood-yes, yours!'"20Ahab said to Elijah, "So you have found me, my enemy!I have found you," he answered, "because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD.21'I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel-slave or free.22I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.'23"And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.'24"Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country."25(There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife.26He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the LORD drove out before Israel.)27When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.28Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite:29"Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son."
Matthew
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Sermon
In today’s first reading, we encounter the dramatic story of King Ahab, who, through his greed and sin, brought down the wrath of God. Ahab’s desire for Naboth’s vineyard led him, under the influence of his wife Jezebel, to murder Naboth and seize the land. Elijah, the prophet, confronts Ahab with a stern warning from God: judgment will fall on Ahab’s house, and his descendants will suffer for his wickedness. Yet, when Ahab humbles himself, tears his garments, and fasts in repentance, God shows mercy, delaying the punishment to the time of Ahab’s son. This story reminds us that even in the face of great sin, repentance can lead to mercy, though the consequences of sin may still unfold over time.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to rethink our understanding of love and enemies. He says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” Jesus calls us to imitate the perfection of God, who showers his blessings equally on the just and the unjust. This teaching is radical because it asks us to move beyond reciprocal love and to embrace a love that seeks the good of all people, even those who wrong us. It is a call to live in a way that reflects the boundless mercy and love of our heavenly Father.
Both readings invite us to reflect on the nature of sin, judgment, and mercy. Ahab’s story shows us that sin has consequences, but repentance can soften God’s judgment. Jesus’ teaching, on the other hand, challenges us to go beyond mere avoidance of sin and to embrace a way of life marked by love, even for those who may oppose us. In our daily lives, we are called to examine our own hearts: Are there areas where we have turned away from God’s will? Are there relationships where we struggle to love? Let us turn to God with humility and repentance, and let us strive to love as God loves—without condition, without limit, and without exception. In doing so, we become true children of our Father in heaven, who is perfect in his love and mercy.