Much has passed in the last few weeks. The Corona virus seems to have peaked but the economic and mental impact is far from over: Two violent deaths that have caught our national attention and riots throughout the country. My own hometown also had a fatal shooting. I live close to the areas of the disturbances and for two consecutive nights I could hear the sound of percussion grenades and tear gas canisters as I tried to sleep. Today’s reading seems to bring relevance to our current time.

Justice, power, greed, corruption and evil are on full display in both the first reading and the Gospel. Jesus gives us juxtaposition from what we see in Kings. Christ is asking for true justice for our neighbor and willingness to allow a complete emptying of our own wants and desires for the sake of others. We are called to place faith in God by emptying ourselves of both material possessions and desire for revenge. So the relevant question for me is; am I willing to trust and follow Christ’s teaching? Otherwise I just take on the wickedness of both Ahab, Jezebel and the elders of Israel. All are points to pray and contemplate upon in these disturbing times.

The world may seem confusing and upside down now.The Psalm reading gives us words we can read daily in these troubled times and find comfort and solace. “Heed my call for help, my king and my God! For you, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with you; the arrogant may not stand in your sight.” God always is the constant and I must rely on him in these tumultuous times.