Monday 16th June – Monday of week 11 of the year

Reflection: 1 King 21: 1-16

KNOWING WHEN TO ACCEPT NO FOR AN ANSWER

Someone once said: “He who does not know when to say no will end up a Nobody. Scriptures as well underscores the relevance of times and seasons as it concerns our response to life’s situations and events (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8). So, if there are times and seasons when it is most appropriate to say NO, then accepting NO must be the most dignifying and honourable disposition of the concerned individual or party, even when it is not so palatable.

Unfortunately, there are individuals who will never follow this part of dignity and honour. They are hell-bent on having their way always, no matter what the cost is. This was the case with Ahab in today’s first reading (1 Kings 21: 1-16) and this eventually led to the murder of Naboth over his vineyard. Dear friend, before you are quick to condemn Ahab for this ignoble and immoral act of his, please take a closer look at yourself. Can you see a subtle trait of this “Ahabic tendency” in you? Do you pester, manipulate or arm-twist others into having your way even when your conscience disapproves of this? Others might be an acquaintance, family member or even a close friend.

Actions like this portray self-centredness and by extension reduce our worth before others. There are legitimate boundaries that should be respected in our dealings with other. Neither familiarity nor personal interests should make us breach these. Let us keep in mind that we cannot always have our way and he who seeks his comfort and pleasure in the discomfort and pains of others cannot know true happiness.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please dispel every selfish inclinations from my heart; that my heart may be meek and humble like yours. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2536 – The tenth commandment forbids greed and the desire to amass earthly goods without limit. It forbids avarice arising from a passion for riches and their attendant power. It also forbids the desire to commit injustice by harming our neighbour in his temporal goods.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to gain!” Psalm 119: 36 RSV-CE

Readings for today:1 King 21: 1-16; Psalms 5: 2-3, 5-7; Matthew 5: 38-42