Jun 17, 2024

18 June 2024- Daily Mass Readings

Tuesday of week 11 in Ordinary Time
Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass
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First reading
1 Kings 21:17-29

You have provoked me by leading Israel into sin.

After the death of Naboth the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite: β€œStart down to meet Ahab, king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be in the vineyard of Naboth, of which he has come to take possession. This is what you shall tell him, β€˜The LORD says: After murdering, do you also take possession? For this, the LORD says: In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, the dogs shall lick up your blood, too.’” Ahab said to Elijah, β€œHave you found me out, my enemy?” β€œYes,” he answered. β€œBecause you have given yourself up to doing evil in the LORD’s sight, I am bringing evil upon you: I will destroy you and will cut off every male in Ahab’s line, whether slave or freeman, in Israel. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, and like that of Baasha, son of Ahijah, because of how you have provoked me by leading Israel into sin.” (Against Jezebel, too, the LORD declared, β€œThe dogs shall devour Jezebel in the district of Jezreel.”) β€œWhen one of Ahab’s line dies in the city, dogs will devour him; when one of them dies in the field, the birds of the sky will devour him.” Indeed, no one gave himself up to the doing of evil in the sight of the LORD as did Ahab, urged on by his wife Jezebel. He became completely abominable by following idols, just as the Amorites had done, whom the LORD drove out before the children of Israel.
    When Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments and put on sackcloth over his bare flesh. He fasted, slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued. Then the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, β€œHave you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before me? Since he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his time. I will bring the evil upon his house during the reign of his son.”

Commentary

In 1 Kings 21:17-29, Elijah confronts King Ahab over his wickedness, delivering a message of judgment from God.

  1. Prophetic Confrontation: Elijah boldly confronts Ahab, holding him accountable for his sins and upholding God's righteousness.

  2. Divine Judgment: God pronounces judgment on Ahab's dynasty for his wickedness, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the inevitability of divine justice.

  3. Ahab's Repentance: Surprisingly, Ahab responds with humility and repentance, eliciting a measure of mercy from God.

  4. Conditional Mercy: God's response underscores the principle of conditional mercy, showing compassion to the repentant while upholding justice.

  5. Timeless Lessons: The narrative teaches the importance of confronting sin, the reality of divine judgment, the power of repentance, and God's mercy.

1 Kings 21:17-29 reminds us of God's justice and mercy, urging us to confront sin, seek repentance, and walk in obedience before Him.

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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 11 and 16

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
    in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
    and of my sin cleanse me.

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

For I acknowledge my offense,
    and my sin is before me always.
Against you only have I sinned,
    and done what is evil in your sight.

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Turn away your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my guilt.
Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God;
    then my tongue shall revel in your justice.

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

________

Gospel Acclamation
John 13:34

Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
Alleluia, alleluia.

________

Gospel
Matthew 5:43-48

Love your enemies.

Jesus said to his disciples: β€œYou have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Commentary

In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus challenges his followers to love their enemies, a radical departure from conventional wisdom.

  1. Unconventional Love: Jesus calls for a love that transcends cultural norms by urging his disciples to love even those who oppose them, demonstrating God's inclusive and boundless love.

  2. Divine Example: Jesus points to God's impartiality in providing blessings to all, regardless of their moral standing, inviting his followers to emulate this divine example in their relationships.

  3. Higher Standard: By commanding love for enemies, Jesus sets a higher standard for discipleship, challenging believers to embody sacrificial love that mirrors God's unconditional grace.

  4. Transformational Love: Loving enemies has transformative power, not only in changing the hearts of adversaries but also in shaping the character of those who choose to love, fostering reconciliation and healing.

  5. Sons of God: Jesus concludes by highlighting the ultimate goal of becoming "sons of your Father in heaven," emphasizing that practicing radical love aligns believers with God's character and kingdom values.

Matthew 5:43-48 presents a profound call to love enemies, reflecting God's inclusive love and challenging disciples to embody transformative and sacrificial love as children of God.

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