Today’s Readings – Monday of Week 11 of Ordinary Time - First Reading

Commentary on 1 Kings 21:1-16

Today we have the story of Naboth’s vineyard—an example of corrupt and shameless use of power. The main characters are King Ahab and his Sidonian wife, Jezebel. We have seen both of them before and the general impression is that Ahab is weak, while his wife is corrupt and ruthless. It was she who introduced the worship of Baal into Israel and had wanted to avenge the execution of the Baal priests by killing Elijah.

The story begins on a reasonable enough note. King Ahab asks Naboth to exchange his vineyard which adjoins the king’s property for another one or, alternatively, to be given its value in money. This property was in Jezreel, where Ahab had a second palace, in addition to his main one in Samaria.

In spite of his position, th … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Sunday of Week 11 of Ordinary Time (Year A)

Commentary on Exodus 19:2-6; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36—10:8

The Gospel opens with Jesus looking over the crowds of people. He is filled with compassion for them. They are “harassed and helpless” like sheep without a shepherd. Things have not changed that much. So man … Continue