Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading tells us a familiar story. Elijah meets a widow with next to nothing. At his prompting and promise, she extends the little she has as hospitality to Elijah. Because of her hospitality, the widow, her son, and Elijah are able to eat for a year without worrying for food.
Sound familiar? It’s a story with beats that echo all throughout the Bible. My mind always immediately goes to the two multiplications of fishes and loaves (Matthew 14:13-21 & Matthew 15:32-39) , but it would be easy to also draw parallels to Abram and Sarai (Genesis 18:1- 15), or the parable of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-8).
All through the Old and New Testament, we see stories of immense generosity, and we see stories of God keeping His promises. Elijah and the widow had enough to eat for a year. The crowds were able to eat from the little someone could offer. Abram and Sarai bore children. The friend at midnight receives what he asks for.
Which brings me to today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:13-16). The most impactful homily I ever heard about these verses began very simply: “ ‘You are the light of the world.’ Do you believe that?”
It’s difficult to believe. It’s not easy, in light of our failures, doubts, and mistakes, to really believe that we, as we currently are, could be the light of the world. It’s just as difficult to believe that our light could lead others to glorify God. We believe that’s for other people – for those who are smarter, better spoken, or stronger in faith. But Jesus does not misspeak, and God keeps His promises. Like the widow in today’s first reading, ours is not to decide what can and cannot happen, but to trust that God will do what God says He will do, and to live with the faith that, with God’s help, we can become the light to the world that we are called to be.
- Marty Bagatti