1 Kings 21:1-16 / Matthew 21:17-29
An instigator can be described as a person who tries to make situations in which people disagree even worse, or one who manipulates events to cause trouble for other people for his/her own amusement.
Obviously, an instigator is always up to no good, and somehow finds some kind of excitement and satisfaction in seeing others get into trouble.
In the 1st reading we hear of one such instigator - Jezebel, the wife of king Ahab.
Instead of helping Ahab to let go of the thought of possessing Naboth's vineyard, she fanned his hope and desire.
She then proceeded to instigate some elders and nobles to fabricate false accusations of blasphemy against Naboth, and eventually an innocent man lost life.
In the face of such evil instigations and wicked plotting, it will be difficult to accept the teachings of Jesus in today's gospel passage.
We would rather arm ourselves to the teeth as we go tooth-for-tooth. We don't want to be walkovers or to be trampled upon, and if some people can't see it, then we will go for their eyes as well.
Yet in our anger and desire for justice, we will also fall into the trap of the unseen and hidden instigator.
The first letter of Peter (1 Pet 5:8-9) urges us to "be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith".
Yes we need to be calm and vigilant in order to know that the devil is prowling around and hiding from us, and instigating us to create trouble for others.
We must know who is the mastermind of lies and the real instigator. Only with the teachings of Jesus will we be able to resist him and not fall into his trap.