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Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 360
The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. So the LORD said to Elijah: “Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have designated a widow there to provide for you.” He left and went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread.” She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’” She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us. When I call, answer me, O my just God, you who relieve me when I am in distress; Have pity on me, and hear my prayer! Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart? Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood? R. Lord, let your face shine on us. Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one; the LORD will hear me when I call upon him. Tremble, and sin not; reflect, upon your beds, in silence. R. Lord, let your face shine on us. O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us! You put gladness into my heart, more than when grain and wine abound. R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Let your light shine before others That they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Via USCCB
There is a terrifying beauty in today’s readings about the logic of God’s Kingdom. We see a starving widow asked to give away her very last meal, and we hear Jesus commanding us to be salt that pours itself out to bring flavor to the world. God often waits until we feel we have nothing left-no patience, no energy, no resources-to ask for that final "small cupful." He does this not to crush us, but to show us that true abundance only begins when we stop hoarding our scarcity and surrender it to Him.
Let’s look closer at that widow in Zarephath. She wasn't a calmness guru or a wealthy philanthropist; she was a terrified single mother preparing to die. Yet, when Elijah said, "Do not be afraid," she chose to act on a promise rather than her panic. In modern life, this looks like the moment you are exhausted after work but choose to listen deeply to your spouse, or when you are financially tight but still give to the collection basket. Like the widow, when we give from our poverty rather than our surplus, we make room for a miracle.
The "First Fruits" Text: Before you check the news or your work email tomorrow morning, send one text message of encouragement or gratitude to a friend. Give the "first bit" of your mental energy to charity.
Flavor Your Workplace: Identify one meeting or conversation today that is usually "bland" or negative. Intentionally bring the "salt" of optimism or kindness to it, even if you don't feel like it.
Where in my life right now do I feel like the "jar of flour" is empty and I have nothing left to give?
Jesus calls me "salt"-have I become bland by blending in with the culture, or do I bring a distinct flavor of Christ to my surroundings?
Who is the "Elijah" in my life today-the person whose interruption or need feels like a burden, but might be an invitation to trust God?
If I truly believed God would provide for me as He did for the widow, what is one thing I would stop worrying about?
What is the "little cake" (a specific act of service, time, or money) God is asking me to bake for Him first today?
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