To Provide for You

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

By Melanie Rigney

So the LORD said to Elijah: “Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I

Bernardo Strozzi [Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons

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… (1 Kings 17:9-16)

Lord, let your face shine on us. (Psalm 4:7a)

“Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16)

Piety

Lord, Your generosity and love are beyond my comprehension. Help me in my disbelief. Help me to accept all You offer.

Study

A full year. They ate for a full year, Elijah, the widow of Zarephath and her son, on a handful of flour and a little oil.

The widow had lost hope. She was resigned to starvation for herself and her son. Elijah brought hope. Perhaps more importantly, he brought his faith that the Lord would make good on His promise that the widow would provide for him. And so they all lived.

Sometimes, the light we shine is tangible in the form of food or clothing or financial donations. Sometimes, it’s a smile or a kind word or a hug. And sometimes, our light is such a part of our fabric that we don’t even recognize it. But others do. And it can feed them for a very, very long time.

Action

Be conscious today of opportunities for your light to shine.