Day 168: Wicked Kings

1 Kings 21:1-16 Again we see how envy (covetousness) leads to greater sins. Ahab and Jezebel desired Naboth’s property; when Naboth refused to sell it, Jezebel-with Ahab’s tacit consent-arranged for false charges to be brought upon Naboth, who was consequently put to death. Thus, unchecked envy gave way to the sins of lying and murder. (CCC 1295, 2538)


Ch 21:9 Proclaim a fast: It was common to announce days of mandatory fast in order to atone for a sin of the people who had brought shame, threats, or disaster upon a community. Fasting remains an effective tool of penance and atonement; it is also a discipline stipulated by the Church on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and for one hour before receiving Holy Communion. (CCC 1837, 2043)


Ch 21:17-29 This sin of Ahab parallels that of David with respect to Bathsheba and the death of her husband, Uriah. The king arranged for a person to be killed so that he might claim something that belonged to the deceased. To his credit, Ahab, like David, repented when the prophet confronted him with his sin and the dire consequences it would bring. God relented on his planned punishment by delaying it until Ahab’s son ruled Israel.


Song of Solomon 7:1-10 The beloved and the lover recognize one another fully; the physical beauty they see in each other reflects an ardent and profound love.


I am my beloved’s...for me: The mutual self-giving comprising the marriage covenant is expressed by the spouses through sexual intimacy. As this allegory affirms, spousal love involves an exclusive and transcendental love. This verse reflects the teachings found in Genesis on marital relations but without the emphasis on the domination of the husband: “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you” (Gn 3:16). The absence of reference to domination strongly suggests a new perspective on the equal dignity and complementarity of the spouses as originally described by God in creation-a complementarity that would be restored in the New Covenant. Through the graces of redemption bestowed in the Sacrament of Matrimony, spouses can love each other with the love of Christ. (CCC 372, 1641-1642)


Ch 7:11-13 The grace bestowed in the Sacrament of Matrimony allows the spouses to share in the joy and peace of Christ. Sexual union in marriage, which is open to life, expresses and celebrates the sacrificial fidelity of the spouses to each other. (CCC 1646-1648, 1653)

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)



Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven we are the object of your love and you are eternal and mysterious, omniscient, omnipresent, and All-Good, and yet you love us. You pursue us. You desire us. Even in our brokenness, even in our weakness, Lord, you still choose us. And so, we ask you as we always do, we ask you to help us to give you permission to be chosen by you. And help us to choose you back. Help us to receive your love. And help us to love you in return. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

Dustin's Insights

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My Study Color Code

Suffering, Martyrdom Places The Church, Sacraments, Divinity Horticultural Imagery People Messianic Kingship Sin, Death, Decay