Monday, June 15, 2020

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 11 Ordinary time - June 16, 2020


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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