Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, June 14th, 2022
Texts: 1 Kings 21: 17-29; Psalm 51:3-6ab.11.16; Matthew 5:43-48
One thing that struck me while reflecting on today’s readings is why the first reading and the gospel reading are put together. In the first reading king Ahab calls prophet Elijah his enemy and Jesus Christ in the gospel reading asks us to love our enemies. Having the two readings together gives the understanding that Jesus’ injunction to love one’s enemy means we are to love one who is in opposition to us. Elijah whom king Ahab called an enemy in the first reading simply stood in opposition to him, rather than seeking his misfortune. The common understanding of enemy is one who is ill disposed towards whomever he/she is an enemy. To be ill disposed to someone is not to appreciate whatever the person does, whether good or bad. Elijah was not ill disposed to King Ahab; he was called an enemy just because he stood in opposition to him and condemned his evil deeds. In truth, those who are our enemies as Christians are those who disapprove Christian ways of life and our doctrine. They hate us because we are patient, they hate us because we forgive often, they call us fake because we smile at everyone, we are archaic and old fashion to them because we are modest and civil, we are fools to them because we are humble, calling Virgin Mary the Mother of God is a blasphemy to them, resurrection is an illusion to them, heaven is a fool paradise to them, etc. These people who stand in opposition to us, we are to love them.
Another thing we might consider in today’s first reading is that there are some people we might be considered enemies but they are not really enemies. This is in the case that we consider enemy as one who is ill disposed to or seek the misfortune of the other person. King Ahab considered Elijah as an enemy but he was not actually an enemy; he was only helping him to turn to God and away from evil by condemning his evil deeds. Sometimes we consider those who correct us and want us to be better as enemies. Sometimes we consider those who are trying to push us out of our comfort zone as enemies. We should learn to appreciate those who correct us and want us to bring out the better version of us.
We notice that King Ahab's acceptance of Elijah’s condemnation brought him divine favour and encouraging prophetic words. It is said, “And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about dejectedly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the evil upon his house.’” He accepted the challenge put before him by Elijah and things turned around for his favour. We should learn to appreciate those who are trying to push us out of our comfort zone and those who correct us. We should learn to accept challenges from those people.
We need to pray for our enemies because their position shows that they need salvation. Our enemies are on the path of condemnation. Just as Jesus Christ said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matt. 9:12). Taking a position against us shows that they are sick and in need of doctors for healing. We are the doctors they need and the healing they need is salvation. Since we resent them by our ways of life and they will not listen to us, we are to pray for them. By our prayer they might be saved. In this way we are like our Father who is in heaven; He came to save us while we were still His enemies (Rom. 5:10). Jesus Christ says, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” It also shows that we know God and as such different from sinners and Gentiles who do not know God. Hence, Jesus Christ adds, “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for revealing to us the need to love and pray for our enemies, grant us the grace to love and pray for them, that we may become your sons and daughters. Amen
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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