HOMILY OF MONDAY 11TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “OFFER THE WICKED MAN NO RESISTANCE”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
1 Kings 21:1-16; Psalm 5:2-3, 5-7; Matt 5:38-42
Abuse of power is widespread, because of the misconceptions. Authority should serve the common good, but many in authority simply arrogate absolute power to themselves and greedily focus mainly on selfish interests, the kind exemplified by King Ahab and Jezebel, who seized Naboth’s vineyard by killing him. But God never sleeps and responds decisively to such wickedness in His own time. Israel’s kings were supposed to be God’s representatives and servants of God’s people, and so must not lead arbitrarily and oppressively. As such, all authority remained valid only when exercised judiciously. It is the same with us. Only God is in charge.
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The authorities bestowed humans are temporary, never permanent, and there will be a day of reckoning for all. Jesus’ difficult imperative should be read against the knowledge that the wicked man’s aggression comes with an unlimited appetite to crush others, just like Ahab and Jezebel: Hardly resistible by the powerless. Vengeance belongs to God. We should always seek reconciliation and offer forgiveness, even when we have been hurt. This should not, however, be literally interpreted to mean that Jesus abrogated our right to self-defense, or protecting ourselves from harm and abuse, especially when the agencies that should protect our human rights fail. Self-defense is not equal to vengeance.
Lord, be our refuge and strength. Amen.
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