Yesterday we read how Jezebel, wife of King Ahab murdered Naboth so that Ahab could take possession of Naboth's vineyard. Ahab was guilty with his wife by complicity and all the more responsible as he was the king. Elijah came to impose the sentence from God. Surprisingly after hearing it Ahab reacted with repentance. What should not surprise us is that God delayed the sentence in order to give Ahab a chance to put his life in order. The truth is that God loved Ahab despite his terrible sin. God yearned for the complete and final repentance of Ahab. God preaches what He practises.

Through His Son, Jesus, we heard the teaching that we are to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors. This will prove that we are the sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. As children of the Father, we are to become like Him. We see what we should be in His Son Who is His perfect image in the flesh. As for those who were physically putting Him to death, His persecutors, He prayed for them from the cross. It is no easy task to love our enemies and to pray for our persecutors. But we should not complain that God is asking us to do something which He Himself does not do. Jesus urges us to strive for perfection like our Heavenly Father.