Daily Readings - Tue Jun 14 2022
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of justice, mercy, and the call to live a life of love and compassion. In the first reading from 1 Kings, we encounter the story of Ahab, the king of Israel, who, under the influence of his wife Jezebel, seized the vineyard of Naboth and had him killed. Elijah, the prophet, confronts Ahab with a stern warning of divine judgment, but Ahab’s humble repentance delays the punishment. This story highlights the consequences of sin and the possibility of mercy when we turn back to God. In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to go beyond the law of loving our neighbors and hating our enemies. He calls us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and strive for perfection as our heavenly Father is perfect. This teaching elevates the moral standard, urging us to imitate God’s universal love, which extends even to those who do not deserve it.
The connection between the two readings lies in the interplay between justice and mercy. In the Old Testament, justice is often tied to punishment for wrongdoing, yet Ahab’s repentance shows that God’s mercy can temper judgment. In the New Testament, Jesus takes this further by emphasizing that love and mercy should characterize our relationship with others, even those who wrong us. Together, these readings remind us that while sin has consequences, repentance and love can transform situations and relationships.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine how we treat others, especially those we may consider enemies or who have wronged us. Jesus’ call to love our enemies is not about feelings but about actions—doing good, praying, and blessing those who persecute us. This is difficult, but it is the path to true holiness and the perfection that God calls us to. The story of Ahab reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy, and our humble repentance can change the course of our lives. Let us strive to live out these teachings, trusting in God’s grace to help us love as He loves.