Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
It’s a grim scene in today’s first reading. Israel is in the middle of a long drought. Thirst and famine are gripping the land. Elijah meets a widow and asks her for water and food. Her first response is filled with hopelessness: She and her son are about to enjoy their last meal together before starving to death, so she can’t give any food to Elijah. Rather than shining with the joy of the lord, she is a dark and dismal presence. Are you ever afraid to give to those in need because you feel you don’t have enough to spare?
Elijah encourages her to be generous: “Do not be afraid!” he says. ‘We all will have enough to eat.’ Who in your life encourages you to fearlessly do good works? Are you sometimes the one encouraging people around you to ‘not be afraid?’
The woman’s response is courageous and bright: she believes Elijah’s promise from the Lord, and brings him the food he asks for. How do you respond to Christ’s promise that in the Kingdom, there is always enough for everyone?
Today’s gospel calls us to shine like the generous widow. We are the light of the world! We can’t make excuses; that’s like turning on your living room lamp and putting a box over it! God has given us enough- plenty of time, money, and energy- we have enough to help our neighbors. We can’t hide anymore. The world needs our courageous, faithful response. Let us reach out to our family members, friends, co-workers, strangers, and enemies, to help them in their time of need. Shine with the love of the Lord! Amen!
—Chris Nieport