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| “The Light of the World” (detail) by William Holman Hunt 1851–1853 |
Readings for Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: 1 Kings 17:7-16
The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry,
because no rain had fallen in the land.
So the Lord said to Elijah:
“Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there.
I have designated a widow there to provide for you.”
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.”
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
“Please bring along a bit of bread.”
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.”
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.’”
She left and did as Elijah had said.
She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well;
the jar of flour did not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.
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Commentary on 1 Kgs 17:7-16
Earlier (in vv.1-7) Elijah following Yahweh’s instruction challenges the priests of Baal, who was in this instance claims to be the god of storms, fertility present in the dew and rain. Elijah prophesied a drought saying, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, during these years there shall be no dew or rain except at my word.” [4] The story of Elijah and the miracle of the widow and her son follows establishing Elijah as a man from God, a prophet. He is able to demonstrate God’s plan: “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.’” God provides for Elijah in his need once more.
CCC: 1 Kgs 17:7-24 2583
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 4:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8
R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us.
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!
Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart?
Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood?
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
Know that the Lord does wonders for his faithful one;
the Lord will hear me when I call upon him.
Tremble, and sin not;
reflect, upon your beds, in silence.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
O Lord, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart,
more than when grain and wine abound.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
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Commentary on Ps 4:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8
Psalm 4 is an individual lament. In these strophes, we hear the trust the psalmist has in God whose saving works cause the faithful to tremble in awe of God’s mercy.
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Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16
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.
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.”
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Commentary on Mt 5:13-16
In this selection from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses allegory to push the Word of God into the world. He tells his disciples they are an integral part of the faith of the people in God. As seasoning is to food, so the Word of God is to faith. They must remain steadfast so they do not lose zeal for God, which is the taste of that seasoning. It is that which sets it apart.
He uses a second allegory, light, to provide still more direction. The light of faith will be seen by all because it is reflected in the actions of those who believe. That light serves to guide others to God, when they may otherwise become lost in darkness, and wander into paths of desolation. That light that pours from the disciples will be seen as a gift, not from them, but from the Father, and the Father will be glorified because of the light.
“Salt and light each impart their own virtue, provided they remain fully what they are. Christians are the means whereby God wants to flavor life, to illuminate life. Do we not too often want to be receivers rather than the givers, and do we not in this way become insipid and dark? The disciple himself is responsible if the world around him remains crouching in lethargy, untransformed.” [5]
CCC: Mt 5:13-16 782, 2821; Mt 5:14 1243; Mt 5:16 326
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Reflection:
Since the earliest of times in human history God has called individuals to carry his message into the world. We see in the first reading from First Book of Kings how he guides Elijah, setting him on God’s chosen path. The miracle of the flour and oil only serve to emphasize that Elijah is a prophet sent by God.
In the Gospel the Lord expands the call to take God’s message into the world. He is speaking to his disciples telling them that they must be “the light of the world.” We, who offer ourselves as his modern-day disciples, hear that instruction and are called to respond to it. Christ’s use of the light metaphor gives us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be light for the world.
If we think about light, specifically light coming from fire as opposed to an electric light, we can imagine person walking into a very dark place leading others with just a lighted match to guide them. It does not put out very much light and the person must move very slowly and cautiously to avoid tripping or bumping into something. That very small light is like a person who rarely seeks to enhance their own faith though word or sacrament. A person holding a match cannot walk boldly in the world, there is not enough light and progress is slow toward the ultimate goal. In addition, the flame of a match is vulnerable to the smallest breeze (challenges to the light) and can easily go out, plunging that person into darkness once more.
Let’s imagine next a person with a proper torch leading others in a dark place. The torch gives off a hundred times more light than the match and the whole group can move at a comfortable pace, safe from any hidden obstacles. No breeze or even a stronger wind can blow it out; in fact it would generally glow brighter. This would be the person who cultivates their own faith and is able to lead others with confidence in their example and the strength of the Holy Spirit.
This latter example is what we all strive to be. However, there is a danger in our analogy as well. If the torch is misused, it can set fire to things that should not burn and the very light we carry can cause others to flee in terror (errant use of dogma or perverted use of Scripture). The Lord calls us to be light for the world, not to destroy the world. Just as Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it, we are called to build up the body of Christ, not to say: “Throw that part into the fire, it must burn.” That kind of judgment is for the Lord himself who will judge all people on the Last Day.
Pax
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] The Word Biblical Commentary, 1 Kings, Volume 12, © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., p. 216.
[5] [55] Fire of Mercy Heart of the Word Volume I. Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, © 1996 p. 207.
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