First Reading

Reading from the First Book of Kings

1 Kings 21, 1-16

Naboth of Jezreel had a vineyard next to the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria, and Ahab said to Naboth: “Give me your vineyard so I can plant a garden there, since it is next to my house; I will give you a better vineyard in exchange or, if you prefer, I will pay you with money”. Naboth answered Ahab: “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers”.

Ahab went home, sad and furious, because Naboth had told him: “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers”. He lay down on his bed, turned his face to the wall, and refused to eat. Then his wife Jezebel came to him and said: “Why are you in a bad mood and do not want to eat?” He replied: “Because I spoke with Naboth of Jezreel and asked him to sell me his vineyard or, if he preferred, I would exchange it for a better one; but he answered that he would not give me his vineyard”.

His wife Jezebel said to him: “Are you not the powerful king who rules over Israel? Get up, eat, and be cheerful. I will give you Naboth’s vineyard”.

Then she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with the king’s seal, and sent them to the elders and leading men of the city where Naboth lived. The letters said: “Proclaim a fast, call an assembly, and seat Naboth in the front row. Place two wicked men in front of him to accuse him, saying: ‘He has cursed God and the king’. Then take him outside the city and stone him to death”.

The inhabitants of the city, the elders, and the leading men who lived near Naboth did what Jezebel had commanded them, according to what was written in the letters she had sent. They proclaimed a fast and in the assembly seated Naboth in the front row. The two wicked men came, sat in front of him, and accused him before the people, saying: “Naboth has cursed God and the king”. Then they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Immediately they sent word to Jezebel that Naboth had been stoned to death.

When Jezebel learned that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab: “Go and take possession of Naboth’s vineyard in Jezreel, which he refused to sell you, for Naboth is no longer alive: he is dead”. As soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he went to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard in Jezreel.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 5, 38-42

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said: Eye for eye, tooth for tooth; but I tell you not to resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also; if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let them have your cloak as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you”.