“Do Not Be Afraid” by Melanie Rigney (@melanierigney)

“Do Not Be Afraid” by Melanie Rigney

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

As (Elijah) 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 17:10-16)

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

“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." (Matthew 5:13)

Piety

Lord, show Your face to me at the times I am most in despair.

Study

The widow had given up.  She was out of food and out of hope.

Then along comes Elijah. He doesn’t pity her, doesn’t try to convince her she’s overreacting, doesn’t tell her to think of her son. He appeals to her hospitality and shares the Lord’s message of bounty. For whatever reason, she believes him… and lives.

The same thing happens to us, in more days and situations than we may even realize. Losing weight just can’t be done. Overcoming an addiction—drugs, alcohol, sex, negative self-talk, pride—is impossible. There are demons, we decide, that are beyond our control. We’re right. But they are not beyond God’s. It all comes down to recognizing his prophets, angels, and the other helpers He sends to sustain us and keep us fed, regardless of how empty we feel—and to always serving Him first, even in those difficult times.

Action

Pray for the faith and wisdom to identify the places in which God is showing you His face, but you are turning away.

Credit: Giovanni Lanfranco-Elijah Receiving Bread from the Widow of Zarephath - Public Domain