NO EVIL GOES UNSEEN AND UNPUNISHED (HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 11WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 14th June 2022)
Ikings 21:17-19; Mt 5:43-45
Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, we are told that after having killed Naboth, king Ahab went ahead and took possession of the vineyard. Thus, the anger of the Lord God blazed upon the household of King Ahab. Elijah was sent by God to King Ahab and Jezebel, to pronounce the punishment for the atrocious deeds they committed. “Thus says the Lord: In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, dogs will also lick up your own blood”, “and of Jezebel, the Lord said, the dogs shall eat Jezebel within the bounds of Jezreel” and of “the household of Ahab, God said, 'i will bring disaster upon you; I will consume you and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in israel” (1kings 21:17-29).
Friends in Christ, this punishment finally came to past, for we are told that King Ahab founght against the king of Aram, and was struck by an arrow and the king died. While his chariot was being washed, dogs licked up his blood and prostitutes bathed in it (1king 22:34-38). And for Jezebel, King Jehu at Jezreel, ordered that Jezebel be thrown out of the window of her room. She died and the blood splattered accross the surfaces, but before they came down to bury her remains, dogs had already took the body away, remaining her feet and the palm of her hands (2kings 9:34-35). King Jehu further ordered that the whole household of Ahab be slaughtered including his friends and no one was left behind (2kings 10:11).
Beloved in Christ, evil begets evil. No evil deed shall go unpunished. The Lord repays everyone according to his deeds (Mt 16:27). Let us have an examination of conscience and turn a new live, leaving behind our ugly ways of life, for it leads to eternal damnation. Immerse yourself profoundly in the sacrament of penance and seek the mercy of God, for his compassion endureth for ever.
In the Gospel reading, opposed to the attitude of King Ahab and Jezebel, Jesus invites us to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:48). As adopted children of God, created in God's image and likeness, we must be loving as our heavenly Father is loving. In his graciousness, he make the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous (Mt5:45). Friends in Christ, this invitation to be perfect is not theoretical but practical, "loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute you”. It seems difficult but the graces of God is sufficient for us and will see us through.
We pray this day that God's graces may abide with us as we continue to walk the pathway of Holiness, and may He through the sacrament of Penance accompany us with his ever loving mercy.
Have a grace filled day!
Fr Remi osj
Amen ....👍
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