Daily Readings - Tue Jun 12 2018
1 Kings
7But after some days, the torrent dried up. For it had not rained upon the earth8Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying9"Rise up, and go to Zarephath of the Sidonians, and dwell there. For I have instructed a widowed woman there to feed you.10He rose up and went away to Zarephath. And when he had arrived at the gate of the city, he saw the widowed woman collecting wood, and he called to her. And he said to her, "Give me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.11And as she was going to bring it, he called out after her, saying, "Bring me also, I beg you, a morsel of bread in your hand.12And she responded: "As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread, except a handful of flour in a jar, and a little oil in a bottle. See, I am collecting a couple of sticks, so that I may go in and make it for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.13And Elijah said to her: "Do not be afraid. But go and do as you have said. Yet truly, first make for me, from the same flour, a little bread baked under ashes, and bring it to me. Then afterward, make some for yourself and for your son14For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘The jar of flour will not fail, nor the bottle of oil be diminished, until the day when the Lord will grant rain upon the face of the earth.’ 15She went and acted in accord with the word of Elijah. And he ate, and she and her household ate. And from that day16the jar of flour did not fail, and the bottle of oil was not diminished, in accord with the word of the Lord, which he had spoken by the hand of Elijah
Matthew
13You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, with what will it be salted? It is no longer useful at all, except to be cast out and trampled under by men14You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden15And they do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that it may shine to all who are in the house16So then, let your light shine in the sight of men, so that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father, who is in heaven
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and our role in the world. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. During a severe drought, Elijah, guided by God, seeks refuge with a widow who is on the brink of starvation. Despite her own desperation, she shares her last morsel of food with Elijah, trusting in God's promise. Miraculously, her flour and oil never run out, illustrating God's providence and the rewards of faith.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus teaching His disciples about their identity and mission. He describes them as the salt of the earth and the light of the world, emphasizing the need for their faith to be visible and transformative. Just as salt enhances flavor and light illuminates darkness, believers are called to positively impact their surroundings through their actions and character.
These readings connect through themes of trust and active faith. Elijah and the widow exemplify trust in God's providence, even in hardship, while Jesus calls His followers to live out their faith boldly. In our daily lives, we are challenged to trust God, even when circumstances seem dire, and to be the salt and light in our communities. May we embrace this call, trusting in God's provision and striving to make a positive impact, glorifying Him through our actions.