Invitation
May I 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
Considration
Ahab is not fundamentally depraved but weak and cowardly. Elijah’s confrontation with Ahab is in many ways reminiscent of Nathan’s confrontation with David. Prophets do not only act against idolatry (the greatest sin) but also against serious ethical transgressions. Ahab’s repentance, too, is reminiscent of David’s repentance, just as is the commutation of his punishment. For Jezebel, however, the grim verdict remains in force.
FIRST READING 1 Kings 21, 17–28
You have led the Israelites into sin
From the First Book of Kings
After the death of Naboth,
the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite:
“Go to Ahab, king of Israel, who lives in Samaria;
he has gone to Naboth’s vineyard
to take possession of it.
“Say to him:
Thus says the Lord:
Do you intend to take possession of the inheritance after committing murder?
“Then say to him:
Thus says the Lord:
In the very place where the dogs licked up Naboth’s blood,
they shall also lick up yours.”
Then Ahab said to Elijah:
“Has my enemy found me out again?”
He replied:
“Yes, I have,
because you have allowed yourself to be used for what displeases the Lord.
“Therefore – thus says the Lord –
I will bring disaster upon you and wipe you out.
“Every male in the house of Ahab
I will cut off from Israel, from the greatest to the least.
“I will do to your house exactly as I did to the house of Jeroboam,
the son of Nebat, and to that of Baasha, the son of Ahijah,
because you have provoked Me and led the Israelites into sin.
“And concerning Jezebel, the Lord says:
The dogs shall devour Jezebel
by the wall of Jezreel.
“Whoever of the house of Ahab dies in the city
shall be devoured by the dogs,
and whoever dies in the open field
shall be devoured by the birds of the air.”
Never has anyone allowed himself to be used
to do what displeases the Lord as Ahab did,
led astray to this end by his wife Jezebel.
He has behaved shamefully
by serving idols,
just as the Amorites had done,
whom the Lord drove out before the Israelites.
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes,
put on sackcloth over his bare body and fasted;
he walked about dejected
and lay down in his sackcloth to rest.
Therefore the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite:
“Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me?
“Because he has humbled himself before Me,
I will not bring the disaster upon his house
during his lifetime,
but during the lifetime of his son.”
RESPONSORIAL Ps. 51(50), 3-4, 5-6a, 11, 16
God, have mercy on me in your compassion.
God, have mercy on me in your compassion,
blot out my iniquity in your mercy.
Wash away my guilt completely,
cleanse me of all my sins.
I acknowledge that I have done wrong,
I am ever mindful of my transgression.
Against You alone have I sinned,
I have done what is contrary to You.
Turn Your eyes away from my faults,
forgive me all my debts.
Keep me far from bloodguilt, God my Saviour,
then my tongue shall sing of Your wise counsel.
ALLELUIA Ps . 27(26), 11
Alleluia.
Show me your way, Lord, in times of adversity,
lead me along level paths.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt . 5, 43-48
Love your enemies.
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:
‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’
“But I say to you:
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
so that you may become children of your Father in heaven,
who causes the sun to rise on the wicked and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
“For if you love those who love you,
what reward do you have?
“Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
“And if you greet only your brother,
what are you doing out of the ordinary?
“Do not even the pagans do the same?
“Be perfect, therefore,
just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
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Laudato Si
Encyclical of
POPE FRANCIS
On Care for Our Common Home
148. The creativity and generosity of individuals and groups who are able to overcome
environmental constraints by transforming the adverse effects of existing conditions
and to find a sense of direction in their lives amidst chaos and uncertainty.
In some places, for example, where the facades of
buildings have fallen into serious disrepair, there are people who take great care
to maintain the interiors of their homes or who feel at ease
thanks to the warmth and friendship of the people. The positive
and wholesome social life of the residents spreads light in
an environment that at first glance seems uninhabitable. Sometimes the human
ecology that enables the poor to thrive amidst such great constraints
. The feeling of suffocation caused by residential agglomerations
and areas with high population density
is countered when close and warm human relationships
develop, when communities form, and when the limitations
of the environment are compensated for within the inner life of every person
who feels part of a network of communication and
connection. In this way, every place ceases to be a hell and becomes the
context for a dignified life.
To be continued
Every day at 1 am
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The Bible text in this edition is taken fromThe New Bible Translation,
©Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap 2004/2007.
Reflections from Liturgical Suggestions for Weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official english translation
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