Along with our readings from the Sermon on the Mount, we have been reading lately from the Old Testament book of Kings. Last week we heard how Elijah condemned King Ahab’s promotion of pagan worship through Israel. King Ahab, influenced by his pagan wife Jezebel, actively promoted the worship of Baal in Israel, building pagan altars and temples in direct violation of the command to have no other gods before the God of Israel.
Today, we read of the twisted morals of this corrupt royal couple.
First we heard of King Ahab’s covetousness. In violation of the 10th commandment Ahab coveted his neighbor’s property. When Naboth refused to sell or trade his ancestral land to Ahab, the king became sullen and angry. Almost comically, 1st Kings describes Ahab whining from his bed and refusing to eat when he didn't get what he wanted. His wife, Jezebel, enabled and encouraged his sinful attitude, and then enacted a corrupt plan to obtain the object of Ahab’s covetousness.
Jezebel orchestrated false accusations of blasphemy against Naboth by recruiting two scoundrels to serve as false witnesses, in violation of the 8th prohibiting bearing false witness.
Then, based on the false charges, Jezebel arranges for Naboth to be stoned to death. This violates the 5th commandment, "You shall not murder".
Then, after Naboth's death, Jezebel tells Ahab to take possession of the vineyard he wanted, stealing his neighbor’s property, breaking the 7th commandment.
All in all, the royal couple used their authority to pervert justice, oppress the innocent, and facilitate sin.
Ahab and Jezebel’s actions reveal hearts hardened against God and a willingness to use deceit, injustice and violence to gratify selfish desires. Here is a cautionary tale of how sin perverts and destroys.
Don’t be like Ahab and Jezebel. Don’t rationalize sin. Don’t give yourself license to violate the commandments. Don’t think yourself so high, mighty, or educated that the commandments of God don’t apply to you. Sin is destructive no matter who you are.
Rather, our continued reading of the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel, illuminates the way of life God wants for us: a life of radical interiorization of God’s love and mercy—charity that goes beyond social conventions. Instead of returning “evil for evil”, we are to return “good for evil”. We must be zealous, not in seeking selfish pursuits, but in cultivating holiness within ourselves, and helping others to do the same.
During this month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we pray that following the Lord’s teachings, imitating his example, through prayer and reception of the sacraments, our hearts may be filled with truly charity like his, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
That during this month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, all Christians may witness to the tender love of Christ through our prayer, fasting, and works of charity.
For our young people on summer vacation, that they may be kept safe from the errors of our culture and kept in close friendship with Jesus through prayer and acts of mercy.
For all married couples, that they may be faithful to the Gospel in every dimension of their married life—and that single and celibate Christians may witness to the sacrificial, all-embracing love of Christ for all.
For the sick, the impoverished, the lonely, those suffering from mental illness, those most in need, and those near death: may God, through the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, be close to them in their trials
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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