June 7 2022

First reading 1 Kings 17:7-16

The widow gives food to Elijah, and is fed

The stream in the place where Elijah lay hidden dried up, for the country had no rain. And then the word of the Lord came to Elijah, ‘Up and go to Zarephath, a Sidonian town, and stay there. I have ordered a widow there to give you food.’ So he went off to Sidon. And when he reached the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks; addressing her he said, ‘Please bring me a little water in a vessel for me to drink.’ She was setting off to bring it when he called after her. ‘Please’ he said ‘bring me a scrap of bread in your hand.’ ‘As the Lord your God lives,’ she replied ‘I have no baked bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am just gathering a stick or two to go and prepare this for myself and my son to eat, and then we shall die.’ But Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, go and do as you have said; but first make a little scone of it for me and bring it to me, and then make some for yourself and for your son. For thus the Lord speaks, the God of Israel:

“Jar of meal shall not be spent,

jug of oil shall not be emptied,

before the day when the Lord sends

rain on the face of the earth.”’

The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son. The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.

Responsorial Psalm 4:2-5,7-8

Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.

When I call, answer me, O God of justice;

from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!

O men, how long will your hearts be closed,

will you love what is futile and seek what is false?

It is the Lord who grants favours to those whom he loves;

the Lord hears me whenever I call him.

Fear him; do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still.

‘What can bring us happiness?’ many say.

Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.

You have put into my heart a greater joy

than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.

Gospel Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

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Be salt and light

We are people of Pentecost, and this is who we are as the People of
God. Therefore, Jesus today calls us, as people of Pentecost, to become
salt of the earth and light of the world. We know that salt helps to
enhance the food we eat, and light illuminates the darkness. As salt is to
food, we add flavour to the lives of others by the gospel values that we

live by. As light is to darkness, we, through our good works, shine the
light of God’s presence in the places where we are to bring His presence
of love to others.

We have an essential mission. We can make a difference by touching
the lives of those we meet each day. Today, let us commit ourselves to
following Jesus with greater faithfulness and allow His Spirit to guide us
to live the Gospel values. May we also remember that God is why we
commit ourselves to this call to be the salt and light of the world. It is not
to seek praises for ourselves but to bring people to encounter God and
lead them to give glory to Him alone.

Question for reflection:
How can I be salt and light in the environment where I am and enhance
the lives of those around me?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.