Tuesday 16th June 2020
11th week in ordinary time year
II
1 Kings 21:17-29, Matthew 5:43-48
If you followed the first reading
of yesterday which continues today, you may not directly blame king Ahab for
the death of Naboth. Jezebel was the brain behind it, and she planned it out
and executed him. Nevertheless, Ahab is also guilty for not only telling his
wife knowing the kind of person she is, but also for not stopping her when she
promised to give him the land. Many people may still not blame Ahab for the
above, it could just be that he was confused and depressed that he could not
get his desired land for a vegetable garden. Despite all the excuses for Ahab,
everyone will agree that Ahab did not feel remorse for the death of Naboth even
though he knew that Jezebel had set him up to be killed. Ahab hurriedly took
possession of Naboth's vineyard. I wonder if he was actually rejoicing that Naboth
had died.
The most common question people
ask in this scenario is, where was God when all these were happening? Could he
not have stopped the death of Naboth? Why will God be silent when innocent ones
are mistreated?
The first reading of today proves
to us that God does not sleep when terrible things happen, he knows everything
and he allows things to happen according to his will for us. No one would doubt
that Naboth is in heaven, but the fate of Ahab was bleak, not to talk of
Jezebel. The prophet Elijah was sent to Ahab today to inform him of his
impending disaster, but Ahab quickly turned to God and ask for forgiveness and
asked for a second chance. This showed
that he was not a wicked person, he had conscience.
In the gospel reading, Jesus talks
about giving our enemies a second chance and not to hate them forever. Many
people who have wronged us are looking for a second chance to show that what
happened was a mistake. Forgive them today as God forgave Ahab, and you will
see the best of them. God help us. Amen
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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