1ST READING
The
widow’s generosity is both understandable and amazing. Understandable
because she has so little — so what does it really matter if she shares
it with a stranger? Amazing because she is willing to share the little
she has to sustain her and her son’s life. In this we see the nature of
faith — faith that God is with her and that whatever happens is in the
hands of God. Let us pray that we may have a similar depth of faith.
1 Kings 17:7-16
7 The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. 8 So the Lord said to Elijah: 9 “Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have designated a widow there to provide for you.” 10 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.”11 She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread.”12 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.”13 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. 14 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.’” 15 She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; 16 the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.
P S A L M
Psalm 4:2-3, 4-5, 7-8
R: Lord, let your face shine on us.
1 [2] 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! 2 [3] Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart? Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood? (R) 3 [4] Know that the Lord does wonders for his faithful one; the Lord will hear me when I call upon him. 4 [5] Tremble, and sin not;
reflect, upon your beds, in silence. (R) 6 [7] O Lord, let the light of your countenance shine upon us! 7 [8] You put gladness into my heart, more than when grain and wine abound. (R)
GOSPEL
Spices,
especially salt, are used in cooking to both hide unwanted flavors and
enhance those that are desired. The same is true of our faith. Faith is
there to draw out the graces of the Spirit and make them more manifest
to the world so that many will believe in the Gospel. Let us always seek
to enhance our faith by strengthening it with prayer and through
reading the Scriptures and the lives of saints.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:13-16
13 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. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
think:
Let us always seek to enhance our faith by strengthening it with prayer
and through reading the Scriptures and the lives of saints.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Kings 12-14
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