Homily for Proper 6 C - June 13, 2010

May sisters and brothers, God is not only just, God is also merciful: which side we see depends on our response to his call.

In our first reading we heard about Jezebel plotting murder to give possession of a vineyard to her husband King Ahab. We also heard of God’s reprisal through the agency of Elijah. King Ahab ruled Israel, the northern kingdom, ca 870-850 BC. Ahab has committed a massive sin in offering Naboth a choice of either other land or money for his vineyard. Both legally and by religious custom, the vineyard must remain in Naboth’s family (“ancestral inheritance,”). Ahab shows that he knows both the Law and the custom but clearly doesn’t care about either. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, hatches the murder plot, on the pretext that the King of Israel is God’s agent. Presumably the property of a man stoned to death was forfeit to the crown so the faults accusations serve Ahab and Jezebel’s ends. Now Elijah enters the picture, God sends him to prophesy to Ahab: his fate will be the same as Naboth’s. Later, a stray arrow kills Ahab, who dies from his wounds. Divine justice is served.

In our Gospel story we see the other side of the coin. Jesus forgives! Explaining to his host that God’s forgiveness toward the repentant is rich; it can be seen in the great love they give in return. Jesus’ fellow guests respond profoundly: this guy is more than a prophet; he even forgives sins.

Several of Jesus’ followers are mentioned, especially Mary Magdalene. She in particular is an important and often ignored (and even maligned) character in Jesus’ story. First of all her expanded name or nick name, Magdalene is not as simple as it appears. Magdala is a Gk word – the Hebrew is Migdol meaning “tower.” There is also a town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee by this name; it was a center of fishing and fish packing. Most scholars take her moniker to mean that she was Mary from Migdol. But there still remains some possibility that the moniker was meant descriptively, Mary the Tower. I’m sure scholars have good reason for not perusing this possibility but I can’t personally help being intrigued because of her pivotal role as witness to the resurrection.

From the canonical Gospels, we know only a few details about her:
1) Healed of 7 daemons: Mk & Lk.
2) Ministered to Jesus: Mt. & Lk.
3) Witness of the Crucifixion: Mt, Mk, Jn.
4) Witness to His Burial: Mt, Mk
5) Witness of the Resurrection & Apostle of the Resurrection: Mt, Mk, Lk, Jn.
6) Privet vision of Jesus after resurrection: Mk & Jn.

No matter how history may have mistreated her, she remains an important disciple and a unique Apostle.

For our own spiritual lives today we ought to refocus ourselves on the dynamic that God is both merciful and just. Forgiving and demanding of accountability. “Believe it or not,” this one hinges on us. The response God shows us depends on our attitude and response to our own sinfulness

Do we admit our misdeeds and seek forgiveness from God? Do we make apology and amends where we can? These things make us like the repentant women in today’s gospel story.

Or do we pretend that we’ve done nothing wrong – remaining self-righteous and selfish? In this case we are like Ahab and Jezebel.

So my brothers and sisters, it is only wise for us to trust in God’s love and seek God’s forgiveness with sincere hearts. Then we can also experience God’s overflowing love and mercy!