The reign of Athaliah
2 Kings 11:1-4,9-18; Ps. 132; Matthew 6:19–23
The first reading presents us with the reign of Athaliah, the queen mother who reigns over Judah. Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and was given to King Jehoram of Judah as a bride. She was a bad influence on both her husband and her son. In her desire for power and reign, she killed many souls. It was like the reign of Satan. Eventually, after six years, when the legitimate king took over power, she was executed by the sword. Her actions led to her own downfall and the destruction of her family. Why do we desire power? What are the things we do to preserve ourselves in power? Some of us are willing to sacrifice our family for power.
Jesus says, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20). Jesus linked this command to the desire of our hearts: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). When Jesus is our treasure, we will commit our resources (money, time, and talents) to His work. There are a lot of things vying for your heart; if we don’t consecrate our hearts to him, we will continue to struggle with foresaken pleasures.
Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St Aloysius Gonzaga. He was born 1568 in Castiglione in northern Italy. He refused to allow corruption and worldliness take hold of his life. He was pure and the Church praises his chaste life with the words “Thou has made him little less than the angels.” God wants us to be holy.
Let us pray.
Father, have mercy and save us from the hands of wicked leaders. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
