(Optional Memorial for Saint Romuald, Abbot)
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| “Jezebel” by John Byam Liston Shaw, 1896 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Kings 21:17-29
Commentary on 1 Kgs 21:17-29
Following Jezebel’s successful plot to murder Naboth and seize his vineyard, Elijah is sent by God to pronounce judgment. He comes to Ahab who is found taking possession of the spoils of the plot, and Elijah, speaking for God, promises him the same punishment as that given to the families of Jeroboam I (1 Kings 14:9-11) and Baasha (1 Kings 16:2-4).
It appears that the punishment promised includes that given for the sin of Idolatry (“…He became completely abominable by following idols”). The punishment for Ahab may also have had its roots earlier in 1 Kings 20:35-42. Jezebel for her part does not escape God’s notice, although the fulfillment of this sentence does not take place until 2 Kings 9:30-37. It is also clear that following stoning, the bodies of those killed are left for the animals. There will be no posterity for those so shunned.
When Ahab demonstrates true repentance, the Lord relents, postponing the judgment and leveling it against his sons. This too finds fulfillment later in 2 Kings 9:7-10.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 11 and 16
R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Commentary on Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 11 and 16
Psalm 51 is an individual lament imploring God for mercy and forgiveness. We note the request is coupled with an explicit understanding that the singer has sinned in the eyes of God, and complete dependence on his mercy for the expiation of those offenses.
CCC: Ps 51:6 431, 1850
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Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48
Commentary on Mt 5:43-48
This passage is the second of six examples in St. Matthew’s Gospel of conduct demanded of the Christian disciple. The Lord extends the understanding of Mosaic Law. He first quotes Leviticus 19:18. Jesus tells the disciples once more that their behavior must be reflected in how they treat others, and must go beyond what was customarily understood. He tells his friends directly to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (not curse them as was customary, also echoed in Romans 12:17-21). This exhortation differentiates Christians, who love even their enemies based upon requirements of their faith.
This passage is the second of six examples in St. Matthew’s Gospel of conduct demanded of the Christian disciple. The Lord extends the understanding of Mosaic Law. He first quotes Leviticus 19:18. Jesus tells the disciples once more that their behavior must be reflected in how they treat others, and must go beyond what was customarily understood. He tells his friends directly to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (not curse them as was customary, also echoed in Romans 12:17-21). This exhortation differentiates Christians, who love even their enemies based upon requirements of their faith.
Jesus continues to reinterpret Mosaic Law. Here, he goes after the closed community. He tells the disciples, consistent with the instruction to “turn the other cheek,” to love not just those who love us but those who are our enemies as well.
He goes on to contrast the response expected from his disciples to the response customarily given (e.g. loving those who love you, greeting only one’s friends), asking: “Do not the pagans do the same?” The passage concludes with “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” He points out that to do less than that is human nature, but the Christian calling is to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. Only in St. Matthew’s Gospel is the word “perfect” used. In St. Luke’s Gospel the word is “merciful.”
CCC: Mt 5:43-44 1933, 2844; Mt 5:44-45 2303, 2608; Mt 5:44 1825, 1968, 2262; Mt 5:45 2828; Mt 5:46-47 2054; Mt 5:47 1693; Mt 5:48 443, 1693, 1968, 2013, 2842
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Reflection:
Perhaps one of the most difficult paradoxes of our faith is to master the attitude of Christ when he asks us to love those who hate us, and pray for those who persecute us. We have a very difficult time rejecting the natural tendency (likely rooted in a primitive survival instinct) to react in kind to those who hurt us, and avoid those who wish us harm.
Within us is the capacity to adopt this attitude of love of others to varying degrees. Our arch-example is Jesus who loved most perfectly all whom he met, even forgiving his tormentors as he hung upon the cross. His Apostles followed his example very closely, with all but one being killed by the people to whom they brought the word of God. Similarly, many of the saints adopted this complete mindset exhibiting the heroic virtue of love, denying themselves health and sustenance in the cause of faith.
We face the challenge to love others daily as well. Yet to operate effectively in our society, we must also recognize there is a difference between accepting persecution and challenging the evil of the world; standing up for our own rights, and resisting unjust attacks. There are some of us who trust completely in God’s mercy, and submit to all sorts of humiliation at the hands of evil people who care only for their own gratification. But most of us will defend ourselves and our families against unjust persecution, understanding that for our faith to prosper, evil must not be allowed to wreak its havoc unhindered.
It is this intersection of resistance versus acceptance that we struggle with. When is it necessary to resist injustice and when is it necessary to “turn the other cheek?” Ultimately the answer must come from our faith, enlightened by prayer, and strengthened by the Sacraments. Even the Lord drove out the money changers from the temple when His Father’s house was being desecrated; even Peter was ready to fight when the Lord was taken in the Garden.
Today, however, we are reminded that our call is not to hate but to love our fellow man. We are allowed to find the actions of others and the consequences of systems despicable, and we are encouraged to fight injustice, but always love the individual persons. Ultimately we must trust in God to deal out justice, hoping in his mercy that we may avoid being judged too harshly for our own failures.
Pax
Reflection:
Perhaps one of the most difficult paradoxes of our faith is to master the attitude of Christ when he asks us to love those who hate us, and pray for those who persecute us. We have a very difficult time rejecting the natural tendency (likely rooted in a primitive survival instinct) to react in kind to those who hurt us, and avoid those who wish us harm.
Within us is the capacity to adopt this attitude of love of others to varying degrees. Our arch-example is Jesus who loved most perfectly all whom he met, even forgiving his tormentors as he hung upon the cross. His Apostles followed his example very closely, with all but one being killed by the people to whom they brought the word of God. Similarly, many of the saints adopted this complete mindset exhibiting the heroic virtue of love, denying themselves health and sustenance in the cause of faith.
We face the challenge to love others daily as well. Yet to operate effectively in our society, we must also recognize there is a difference between accepting persecution and challenging the evil of the world; standing up for our own rights, and resisting unjust attacks. There are some of us who trust completely in God’s mercy, and submit to all sorts of humiliation at the hands of evil people who care only for their own gratification. But most of us will defend ourselves and our families against unjust persecution, understanding that for our faith to prosper, evil must not be allowed to wreak its havoc unhindered.
It is this intersection of resistance versus acceptance that we struggle with. When is it necessary to resist injustice and when is it necessary to “turn the other cheek?” Ultimately the answer must come from our faith, enlightened by prayer, and strengthened by the Sacraments. Even the Lord drove out the money changers from the temple when His Father’s house was being desecrated; even Peter was ready to fight when the Lord was taken in the Garden.
Today, however, we are reminded that our call is not to hate but to love our fellow man. We are allowed to find the actions of others and the consequences of systems despicable, and we are encouraged to fight injustice, but always love the individual persons. Ultimately we must trust in God to deal out justice, hoping in his mercy that we may avoid being judged too harshly for our own failures.
Pax
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