The Flavour of Divine Life

Reflection on Today's Readings, 10th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, Tuesday 9th June,  2020

Texts: 1Kings 17:7-16; Ps. 4:2-5,7,8; Matt. 5:13-16

The widow of Zarephath displayed a great hope in God in today's first reading. Hope is the assurance of the fulfilment of God's words, his promise. Awaiting with certainty of the fulfilment of God's promise, we live in obedience to his command.  The widow, having assurance in the fulfilment of the words of God through Elijah, she obeyed Elijah and served him first. Hope provides a firm ground for us to stand when the possibility of survival is no longer in view. That was the case of the widow of Zarephath, she had lost the possibility of survival. If not the hope she had in the prophetic word of Elijah she would have found it difficult to obey him, for the force of self-preservation is great in man. With hope, the widow of Zarephath was able to perform a heroic act of faith, which is charity. Faith, hope and charity are the flavour of divine life in us. With faith, hope and charity, we shine brightly on earth and Jesus' words become true in our life: "You are the light of the world". 

While on this earth, the saltines of our life are faith, hope and charity. If we lose them we lose the divine life in us. Hence, Jesus Christ says, "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men". Without faith, hope and charity, we cease from being light and salt of the world. Therefore, let us preserve our faith, our hope and continue in our charitable acts. 

God our Father, keep us for yourself and preserve in us the gifts of faith, hope and charity you have given us. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke