Daily Readings - Tue Jun 12 2018
1 Kings
7And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.8And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,9Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.10So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.11And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.12And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.13And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.14For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.15And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.16And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
Matthew
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which 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.