today's other readings are Psalm 51 and Mt. 5: 43-48
We have a fascinating story in our 1st reading to consider. Influenced by his evil wife, and sanctioning the events that would lead to the death of Naboth in yesterday's reading (1 Kings 21: 1-16), King Ahab learns of his fate from the Prophet Elijah. And it is not a happy fate - Ahab will die, his house will be destroyed, and his wife will die.
But Ahab repents through fasting and the wearing of sackcloth. So the Lord has mercy upon him. Ahab will live, but disaster awaits his son and his son's house.
A thought that comes to mind is this - if I was Ahab's son, when that disaster comes his way, which it did, I would be rather upset. Why should I suffer because of the evil of my father and mother? I didn't do anything!
But, dear reader, this is a reality of sin. Our sins often affect more people than we think. Consider the reality of original sin - you and I did not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and eve did. But their sin has affected all of humanity since.
Today's story provide much food for our thoughts.