We live in a society that preaches a very interesting message: all will be well if you can be rich, if you can look good ... but there is an important factor that is missing in this message ... that we need to always understand ourselves in light of our ancestors: what they have done for us, how much they have sacrificed, the true value of the treasure they have bequeathed to us.
In ancient Israel, this sense of rootedness was made evident in the land that was passed down from one generation to another. The same plot of land often remained in the same family, being farmed by some and providing pasture for livestock belonging to others. In this context, we see the drama unfold between Naboth and Ahab in today's first reading (1 Kings 21:1-16). Ahab is rich and thinks that his money should be able to buy him more land, so he approaches Naboth and begs him: Give me your vineyard for my vegetable garden (1 Kings 21:2). By asking such a question, Ahab demonstrates plainly that he has no regard for the sacredness of the land that had belonged to Naboth and his family. By comparison, Naboth is very well connected to the land that is his birthright. He denies Ahab's request quite plainly: The Lord forbid that I should give you my ancestral heritage (1 Kings 21:4). In fact, Naboth lost his life for his land.
Jesus took Naboth's commitment to yet another level when he encouraged his disciples to offer no resistance to one who is evil (Mt 5:39) ... in fact, Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles (Mt 5:41). Only someone who is well connected to his or her roots, someone who knows where he or she has come from, can be free enough to give so freely.
Have a great day.
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