Catholics know: The Old Testament describes ‘evildoers’. Jesus tells us how to deal with them.“
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Question 1: “Does The Bible tell us about ‘evildoers’ in Today’s Reading?”
Answer: “‘Evildoers’ are described! Ahab, King of Samaria, wanted property owned by his neighbor. That land was God’s gift to Naboth’s ancestors. He refused to sell it to Ahab in 1 Kings 21:1-16.”
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Question 2: “What did Ahab do?”
Answer: “His wife, Jezebel, had Naboth killed. Ahab stole his land.”
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Question 3: “Were people crying out for ‘justice’?”
Answer: “Psalm 5:2-7 includes these pleas to God: ‘Hearken to my words, O Lord, Heed my call for help, my King and my God. . . ‘I bring my plea expectantly before You. For You, O God, do not delight in wickedness. . . You hate all evildoers, You destroy all who lie and You abhor the bloodthirsty and deceitful…’”
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Question 4: “Does Today’s Catholic Reading tell us how Jesus taught us to deal with ‘evildoers’?”
Answer: “In Mt. 5:38-42, Jesus gives us Six Direct Orders about dealing with ‘evildoers’:
1. ‘But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.’
2. ‘When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.’
3. ‘If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.’
4. ‘Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.’
5. ‘Give to the one who asks of you.’
6. ‘Do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.’
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Question 5: “Why does Today’s Reading end there?”
Answer: “‘That’s all of ‘The Direct Orders from Jesus’ that many of us can stand to hear at one time!”
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Tomorrow’s Reading will give us more Direct Orders from Jesus!”
To be continued . . . .
