THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of the eleventh week, 2022

1Kgs 21:1-16

Ps 5

Matt 5:38-42

Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua

Offer the wicked man no resistance

Those in positions of power can be very tempted to seize land that doesn’t belong to them, often with deadly consequences for others. The war in Ukraine at the moment is a very obvious example of such behavior. We find it again in our first reading this morning. King Ahab wanted a vineyard that belonged to Naboth to use as a vegetable garden because it lay alongside the land held by the king. Understandably, Naboth refused the request of the king. This was land that had been in his family for generations.

People who fight to defend their land, as is happening in Ukraine, often do so because they know that they have a historical claim to their land. Ahab’s wife was less scrupulous than Ahab, and she arranged to have Naboth condemned to death by stoning on trumped-up charges. That too has a contemporary ring to it. Those who want to hang on to power at all costs find ways to silence or do away with political opponents.

The combination of Ahab’s greed and Jezebel’s unscrupulous nature meant Ahab got his vineyard and Naboth lost his life. When land or territory becomes more important than human life, terrible things happen. The teaching of Jesus in today’s gospel reading could not be further from the behavior of Ahab and his wife in the first reading. The great evil was done to Naboth. How is evil to be dealt with and addressed. Jesus declares in the gospel reading that evil is not to be responded to with more evil. The principle of ‘eye for an eye’ leaves everyone blind. Jesus calls on us to overcome evil with goodness. It can be difficult to know what that means in practice, especially in a war situation. Yet, the principle of overcoming evil with goodness is worth holding on to, especially when the temptation is very strong to keep returning evil with more evil.

Let us pray: I merciful God, teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love. Amen.

+Remain blessed