The triumph of Good over Evil: Embracing non-violence in the face of injustice (HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II (JUNE 17 2024)

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (JUNE 17 2024)

1King 21:1-16; Ps. 5; Matthew 5:38-42 

The triumph of Good over Evil: Embracing non-violence in the face of injustice

In the scriptural passage presented today, we witness the continuation of King Ahab's malevolent actions, which are further exacerbated by his wife, Jezebel. Through deceitful means involving the procurement of false testimony, Jezebel orchestrates the acquisition of Naboth's vineyard for Ahab, culminating in Naboth's unjust demise.

This narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the plight of the innocent who often become casualties of the ambitions of those in power. The prevailing societal ethos glorifies the adage 'might makes right,' perpetuating the subjugation of the impoverished and defenseless by the affluent and influential.

However, in the face of such adversity, our Savior, Jesus Christ, imparts wisdom in today's Gospel, advocating for a path of non-retaliation and the embrace of nonviolence.

We are summoned to vanquish malevolence with benevolence. Reciprocal aggression fails to establish justice and instead initiates a relentless cycle of conflict. Echoing the sentiments of Mahatma Gandhi, "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind," we are reminded that retribution does not heal but harms. Divine providence is ever-present, ready to intervene on behalf of the downtrodden, the impoverished, and the vulnerable.

Let us pray for divine assistance to triumph over evil with acts of kindness, guided by Christ our Lord. Amen.