Advocate for the Marginalized (Homily for Tuesday of the 11th week in ordinary time year II

Homily for Tuesday of the 11th week in ordinary time, year II (June 18, 2024)

1king 21:17-29; Psalm 51; Mathew 5:43-48

Advocate for the Marginalized

As King Ahab stepped into Naboth's vineyard with the intent to claim ownership, he likely perceived himself as omnipotent. The transaction—or lack thereof—seemed immensely favorable to him. Without the exchange of currency or alternative property, Ahab acquired the vineyard. Despite the baseless allegations against Naboth, no one dared to question the validity of the claims, given their royal origin. It appeared to Ahab that power justified might, and might dictated justice.

It is conceivable that, had Naboth been of royal lineage or possessed considerable wealth and influence, Ahab would have refrained from such tyrannical behavior. In Naboth, Ahab saw an individual devoid of societal stature or an advocate to champion his cause, rendering him vulnerable to the king's whims.

In contemporary society, Naboth symbolizes the impoverished individuals who are routinely stripped of their rights due to their inability to safeguard those rights from affluent and powerful adversaries. Their voices are often disregarded, their plights overlooked, as intervening on their behalf would entail confronting the established powers. Thus, the impoverished are left at the mercy of the wealthy.

Dear friends, it is God who consistently advocates for the impoverished. He ensures that no act of injustice is ignored. Although He did not prevent Naboth's demise, it did not signify a triumph for malevolence. Coveting your neighbor's belongings does not guarantee contentment upon their acquisition. One should not judge the impoverished by their material deficiencies, but rather by their divine affiliation. Only those who believe themselves capable of contending with the Almighty would dare to subjugate the impoverished.

One must not allow their status or wielded authority to engender a sense of superiority over others. It is imperative to remember that one's stewardship will be subject to scrutiny. Those under your guardianship are entrusted to you for their development, not for exploitation or mistreatment. God stands as the protector of the powerless, harboring a profound affection for the impoverished. To love God is to extend that love to the impoverished.

God bless you all