Today we have yet again two interesting readings for Mass. They both continue from where they left off yesterday. The first reading is about King Ahab and Jezebel; the second is about Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
It is very clear in the first reading that God is not pleased with the means that Jezebel and Ahab used to obtain a desired vineyard. I believe God used the word: "murder" to describe what happened. Thou shalt not kill was a law very much in effect (as God gave it to Moses and the people of Israel) and God himself, in this case, would carry out a just judgment and punishment in its regard.
It is interesting to note that because Ahab humbled himself before God (tearing his garments, putting sackcloth over his bare flesh, fasting, sleeping in sackcloth and going about subdued) – God said that he would not bring the evil punishment in his time – but rather in the time of his son.
We must be clear here though – God does not create evil nor will it for its own sake – but he does permit and allow it for a good purpose: most always for the purpose of a testing of faith! His power is always stronger than the power of evil – and he can strengthen those who pray to him to be able to "pass any test" of faith involving evil that might come our way. Jesus told us to pray this way in his own prayer: "lead us not to the test, but deliver us from evil."
In the gospel passage Jesus explains that a completely transformed and new creation – one baptized into his death and resurrection – would indeed be able to deal with whatever comes along – good or evil – loving neighbors and enemies alike IN THE SAME WAY! Praying for persecutors in the same way you would pray for your best friends. Why? Because we all exist IN GOD'S LOVE. He makes the sun rise on the good and the bad; he makes it rain on the just and the unjust. And if he can deal thusly with people; so can we. Jesus says that if we exist – as we truly do – in the depths of God's love – then we exist in PERFECTION: and he tells us then to be perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect. We do this preeminently by loving everyone – by being helpful and useful and friendly to all we meet!
Sometimes we do have to suffer not only because of our own sins, but because of the "sins of our fathers" as well – that is only justice. King Ahab's son will have to deal with that in subsequent readings in the Book of Kings; but he will have the opportunity to let love be stronger than what he has to deal with – just as love, just as God's perfection, within us, can be stronger than anything we have to deal with today!
Be merciful, O Lord, (to all of us), for we have sinned – someway, somehow! – and we know that you can bring us love, perfection, forgiveness and healing.
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