Daily Readings - Tue Jun 12 2018
1 Kings
7And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.8Then the word of the LORD came to him,9"Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you."10So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink."11And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."12And she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die."13And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.14For thus says the LORD the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'"15And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days.16The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah.
Matthew
13"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to 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.