Jun 09., 2020 / Features, General, Soul Food, Updates and Activities
Your Light Must Shine
Today we have a beautiful set of readings beginning from the Book of Kings, describing how the brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, and how he was instructed by God to move to a certain place where a widow will provide for him.
Listen to the dialogue of the widow and Elijah; read between the lines:
- “Please bring me a cup of water” Elijah asked. That was easy to do and doable, so the widow went.
- Then Elijah asked for more “please bring me some bread”.
From this untimely request, what can we sense within the heart of the widow?
Stay with her in her suffering and struggle as she contemplated her plight, as when she had to explain that “when we (she and son) have eaten, we shall die” – this meal was to be their last: she was hanging on to her last thread of hope, awaiting and even preparing for the full blow of the crisis ahead.
- “Do not be afraid” says Elijah, giving us a clue to what was going on inside of her at this time.
- Then, “Go…”
Contemplating this widow’s situation, are we reminded of times when we, too, were hanging on to our last thread of hope and life?
(C) In Touch Ministries
Literally it could be food that would be our last meal; or maybe an overseas student’s allowance running out; or a struggle with a relationship, a coping with sickness, or hurting from a broken heart or a failed endeavour; or being reminded of a disappointing past, etc.
Contemplating the widow’s plight, we see how she struggles now to share her last meal with a stranger. Observe how she does what Elijah proposed; spend some time with her in the kitchen: what was happening in her heart? Did she really believe in this stranger? Would you? You might wish to have a conversation with her.
In this story, let us once again hear the affirming words of God through this text “Do not be afraid”. Like the widow in whose heart the presence of a stranger ignited trust, can we trust that the unexpected can bring hope and life? And because she trusted, she gave generously, and her generosity saved them all!
Relating this to the call of the Gospel today: “your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father,” consider what risks you struggle with, as you respond to these reflection questions:
What is your greatest fear these days?
How have you responded to stranger(s) visiting you?
What miracles have you seen so far?
Trust, which allows us to respond to the call to be light that shines, is always rooted in a lived experience. It comes from having a storehouse of memories where this trust is learned.
#goodness #gratitude #miracles #share
