Monday in the eleventh week of the year

 

Invitation

May I take this opportunity to draw your attention to the daily reading of the Gospel?

This invitation aims to share with you the joy of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception, can experience that joy by opening their hearts to the healing power of God’s word.

Available every day.

Consideration

Once again, Jezebel’s demonic nature is revealed. She does not shy away from murder and bribery, and Ahab is a willing tool in her hands. “Are you the man who exercises royal power?” Any means are acceptable to her to achieve her goal. How many contemporary situations do we recognise in this ancient story? Perhaps even a little of ourselves? FIRST READING                  1 Kings 21, 1-16 They took Naboth outside the city and stoned him to death From the First Book of Kings Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard, situated in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria. One day, Ahab made a request to Naboth: “Sell me your vineyard; so that I may turn it into a vegetable garden, for it is right next to my palace. “I will give you a better vineyard in its place, or if you prefer, I will buy it from you.” But Naboth said to Ahab: “May the Lord forbid that I should give up the inheritance of my fathers to you.” Then Ahab went home, gloomy and angry because of the answer that Naboth the Jezreelite had given him: ‘I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.’ He lay down on his bed, turned his face away and would not eat. Then his wife Jezebel came to him and asked: ‘Why are you so gloomy and will not eat?’ Ahab replied: “I asked Naboth the Jezreelite to sell me his vineyard, or, if he preferred, to exchange it for another. “But he answered me: ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” Then his wife Jezebel said to him: “Are you the man who rules as king in Israel? “Get up, eat something, and you will feel better; I will see to it that you get that vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” She wrote a letter in Ahab’s name, sealed it with his seal and sent it to the elders and leading men who lived in the same town as Naboth. In that letter she had written: “Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the assembly of the people. “Then have a couple of scoundrels sit opposite him and accuse him of blasphemy and treason. “Then take him outside the city and stone him to death.” Naboth’s fellow citizens, the elders and the leading men who lived in the same town as him, did everything Jezebel had instructed them to do and everything written in the letter she had sent them. They proclaimed a fast, and had Naboth sit at the head of the assembly. Then two wicked men came, who sat opposite Naboth and declared in the hearing of all the people: “Naboth has cursed God and the king.” They led Naboth outside the city and stoned him to death. Then they reported to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned: he is dead.” As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab: “Get up, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to sell you, for Naboth is no longer alive; he is dead.” As soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he set out to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. INTERLUDIUM             Ps. 5, 2-3, 5-6, 7 Hear, O Lord, my groaning. O Lord, listen to what I have to say, hear my groaning. Hear the voice that calls for your attention, for you are my God and my King. Early in the morning You hear my voice, early You hear my hope and longing. Surely You are not a God who tolerates injustice, no evildoer can dwell with You. No sinner can look You in the eye, You hate those who commit injustice. You destroy those who speak lies, You abhor bloodlust and cruelty. ALLELUIA                  Ps . 95,(94), 8ab Alleluia Hear today the voice of the Lord and do not be stubborn. Alleluia. GOSPEL                Mt . 5, 38-42 I say to you, do not resist evil. From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. “But I say to you, do not resist the evil one; but if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. “And if anyone wants to take you to court “And if anyone forces you to go one mile with him, go two with him. “Give to those who ask of you, and do not turn away anyone who wants to borrow from you.” _______________________________________________________