June 15, 2026 // Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: 1 Kings 21:1–16
Reflect on the Word //
He did what?! I thought to myself as I read through my Bible in Adoration, trying not to gasp out loud. I was totally unfamiliar with the story from today’s First Reading, and I felt disgusted by the selfishness of King Ahab. He was so greedy that an innocent man was stoned to death.
The king of Samaria had plenty of land already, but he wanted Naboth’s vineyard for a vegetable garden. When Naboth refused to give up his vineyard, King Ahab refused to eat and became depressed. Then he agreed to let his wife plot Naboth’s death.
I also felt disgusted as I reflected upon the most recent ways I had chosen selfishness over generosity in my own vocation. I saw myself in Ahab, recognizing how easily I can grasp and take instead of give.
Scrolling on my phone for ten more minutes instead of unloading the dishwasher. Greeting my husband poorly because he came home from work later than I expected. Sulking in a bad attitude if my preferences aren’t accommodated.
Reflecting on the various ways I have chosen self-indulgence over self-donation, I heard Jesus whisper into my heart: Am I not enough for you?
How easy it is to forget the gift of my royal inheritance. Like King Ahab, we too have been given much more than we have earned on our own. God gives us His inexhaustible love, friendship, and mercy as a pure gift, but when we stop trusting Him, we begin to grasp.
Ahab thought a vegetable garden would satisfy his heart’s desires. Like him, we can easily become blinded by our own folly and think we need more time on our phone or the latest thing we saw an influencer using. We may even convince ourselves revenge will satisfy us.
But what if Jesus truly was enough for us? What would our vocations look like if we lived in the deep awareness of our rich inheritance found in Him? Where are we trading His Heart for a vegetable garden?
Relate to the Lord // Ponder this question inspired by today’s First Reading: Where am I trading His Heart for a vegetable garden? Be honest with yourself and the Lord.
