Often in our world the rights of ordinary people get trampled over by the rich and powerful. Jesus shows us a radically different way to treat others. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass.
Readings for Monday of the 11th week of ordinary time can be found here.
A priest friend of mine once experienced a burglary at the vicarage. The police called to examine the scene and went from room to room. One of the officers said to him “my goodness they’ve made a right mess of the study”, to which my friend, never the tidiest of people replied, “no, this is exactly how I left it”! Luckily I’ve never been burgled but if you have, or have had anything stolen, you will know the sense of violation that comes with it. Often people say it is the sentimental value of things stolen that saddens them the most. It is as though a part of their history has been taken; the thief shows a lack of respect for this, and by extension to the owner themselves.
In our first reading Ahab the king of Israel wants something that someone else owns – Naboth’s vineyard. As with an item of sentimental value, Naboth doesn’t want to let go of the vineyard, which he calls “the inheritance of my fathers”. The vineyard is more than an asset: it represents Naboth’s heritage and family history. But this matters little to Ahab’s wife Jezebel, who arranges to have Naboth killed so Ahab may have the vineyard. She has no respect for Naboth’s heritage, or even his very life. These are things she is willing to trample over in order to get her way. In the Gospel Jesus presents a radically different way of dealing with people. Even the one who has wronged us should be treated with respect, the respect due to every human being, rather than be crushed in our desire for revenge.
Very often, refugees are treated as less than human. They are the collateral damage of someone else’s war, a source of income for people traffickers, or the football of domestic political debates. Yet like Naboth they all have a history, a heritage, and something important to contribute to the places where they end up. This week let us pray for the grace to build communities where every person is valued, every story is listened to, and God’s justice and mercy can flourish.
Mass today is in St Dyfrig & St Samson at 6.30pm.
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