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Book of 1 Kings 17:7-16
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.’”
Gospel of Matthew 5:13-16
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.”
The Widow of Zarephath Every time I read the passage from 1 Kings describing the Widow of Zarephath and her child, my heart aches with compassion. I love this moving story. At the time of Elijah's ministry, a severe famine swept the land. Men, women, and children died of starvation. In horrendous acts, some even resorted to cannibalism. Here we read the story of a woman gathering sticks in order to prepare her final meal. She knows this is the last of her provisions. Death is imminent. Darkness has wrapped itself around the Widow and her child, refusing to let go, causing despair and lost of hope. Yet, something miraculous happens. The Prophet Elijah, instructed by God, meets this woman. He asks for some water and a bit of her bread. At first she's worried that she won't have enough remaining to feed her small family of two. However, Elijah assures here that her jar of flour will not go empty and her jug of oil run dry until the rains return. In exchange for the widow sharing her provisions with Elijah, the Lord provides her sustenance. Clearly, the heavy darkness of hunger and death has converted to the light of hope and survival.
As a parallel story in the New Testament, I often think of the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. In several ways both protagonists are similar. Both women have no husband. Both women are outcasts in society. Both women give a cup of water to quench the thirst of a prophet (Elijah with the widow &Jesus with the Samaritan woman). Both women are suffering in a spiritual way. God intervenes in their lives, healing their inner wounds and providing them the peace and mercy they so deserve. Their faith and hope is realized.
Your Light Must Shine On In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commands his disciples that their light must shine before others. The Apostles should perform good deeds that are noticed by others; good deeds that glorify God to the fullest. The Light of Christ is something that must be spread so that it illuminates the lives of everyone. One small flickering flame of light can convert a heart a a soul.
We all have the light of Christ burning inside of our hearts. It's up to each one of us to follow the Lord's Commandments and his Beatitudes, sharing Christ's profound wisdom with others. If we allow the light of Christ to extinguish itself, we risk falling into darkness, despair, and even temptation.
Just like the Widow of Zarephath shared a meal with Elijah, so we as Christians should share our gifts with others. Allow the light of Christ to shine on in our caring actions.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
-J.
As a parallel story in the New Testament, I often think of the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. In several ways both protagonists are similar. Both women have no husband. Both women are outcasts in society. Both women give a cup of water to quench the thirst of a prophet (Elijah with the widow &Jesus with the Samaritan woman). Both women are suffering in a spiritual way. God intervenes in their lives, healing their inner wounds and providing them the peace and mercy they so deserve. Their faith and hope is realized.
Your Light Must Shine On In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commands his disciples that their light must shine before others. The Apostles should perform good deeds that are noticed by others; good deeds that glorify God to the fullest. The Light of Christ is something that must be spread so that it illuminates the lives of everyone. One small flickering flame of light can convert a heart a a soul.
We all have the light of Christ burning inside of our hearts. It's up to each one of us to follow the Lord's Commandments and his Beatitudes, sharing Christ's profound wisdom with others. If we allow the light of Christ to extinguish itself, we risk falling into darkness, despair, and even temptation.
Just like the Widow of Zarephath shared a meal with Elijah, so we as Christians should share our gifts with others. Allow the light of Christ to shine on in our caring actions.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!
-J.
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