Who of us hasn’t dropped something we treasured and watched it break into many pieces? As hard as we may try to glue it back together, it’s just never the same.
Our first reading today is about someone who became spiritually broken. However, unlike our efforts to repair something, we hear about our merciful God who made this broken man’s contrite heart whole again.
To recall the story, yesterday we heard about King Ahab wanting Naboth’s vineyard, which bordered on Ahab’s property, because he wanted to expand his domain and build a garden. Naboth wouldn’t give it to him, however, because it was land designated as part of the 12 Tribes of Israel. To give away this land was unthinkable; it was Naboth’s ancestral heritage. But Ahab couldn’t understand this, so after Naboth said no, Ahab did what a spoiled person does…he pouted! He had the whole kingdom at his disposal, but he was fussing about one little vineyard. So, Jezebel, Ahab’s devious wife, connived to have Naboth killed. After this happened, Ahab got his vineyard.
Today we heard part 2, that is, what happened when King Ahab got caught. God saw this terrible murder and passed a disastrous judgment on Ahab and his descendants. But once this cold heartless man was confronted by God, he humbled himself, fasted, tore his garments and wore sackcloth. He became a contrite penitent. Because he did so, God relented on his judgment and showed mercy to Ahab. This broken man became whole again through God’s forgiveness.
We are all broken in some way by our faults, sins and failings, and yet, we are all blessed if we turn our brokenness over to the Divine Healer. Pope Francis says: “Don’t be afraid to ask God for forgiveness. He never tires of forgiving us. God is pure mercy.”
With faith we believe our God is ever eager to forgive us and reshape our hearts if we humbly acknowledge our needs and repent of our deeds. It is then, we who are broken can feel whole again, a beautiful creation of our loving God’s endless grace.
