Covetousness is Bad

 Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, June 13th, 2022

Texts: 1 Kings 21 : 1-16; Psalm 5:2-3.5-6.7; Matthew 5 :38-42

We see in today’s first reading how bad covetousness is. Covetousness is an inordinate desire for something that belongs to another person. King Ahab wanted the vineyard of Naboth but was denied of it by Naboth who said to him, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” We learn from Naboth to hold dear and defend our inheritance. Our faith is an inheritance because it is handed down to us. Some of us have bastardized the faith. Our faith is now corrupt because we want to satisfy the desire of the body. Some of us have sold the faith for honour, some of sold it for wealth, some of us sold it for power, some of us sold it for fame, some of us sold it for sensual pleasure. Some of us have even abandoned the Holy Eucharist and sacrament of confession for other affairs. Naboth teaches us to say, “God forbid that I give up my faith for anything else.” Let us preserve our faith for the future generation.

King Ahab was sad because Naboth denied him of the vineyard. It is said, “And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him; for he had said, ‘I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.’” Covetousness makes people sad when the object is not obtained; it is not good for our health. The covetousness of King Ahab gave birth to murder. God condemns covetousness when He says, “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour” (Ex. 20:17).  

Jesus tells us today thus: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil.” Jesus does not encourage paying evil for evil; He wants us to conquer evil with good. There is no justification for doing evil. Jesus encourages us not to revenge. The vengeance belongs to God.  

Lord our God, help us to see ourselves as brothers and sisters and grant that we may conquer evil with good. Amen

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke