A FAITH TO GIVE ALL
In the Responsorial Psalm we acclaim, "Praise the Lord, my
soul! The Lord keeps faith forever" (Ps 146:1b, 7). In the power of Jesus'
purity of heart and the infinite love of His gift of self, He faces God as High
Priest of the world. And though His sacrifice was made in time - in the
historical hour of His death - it is celebrated eternally, in the endless
present.
Today's first reading speaks of faith. Elijah believed in God's
Word - that he would find help in a hostile place. First of all, the city of
Zarephath was Phoenician; a pagan city. Secondly, God had sent him to the
kingdom of Ethbaal, the father of Jezebel, who was bent on Elijah's
destruction. And not only that, but aid would come in the form of a pagan
widow. For her part, this widow trusted both a stranger and a foreign God - the
God of Israel.
During a time of drought and famine, both Elijah and the widow
risked their lives. Elijah did so by venturing into enemy territory and the
widow by giving her remaining food and water to him, thereby, endangering what
life she and her son had left. Like the poor widow in the Gospel, these
individuals had the faith to give all and in so doing, they gained all!
Saint Jerome wrote a reflection about the widow in today's
Gospel. "The poor widow cast only two pennies into the treasury; yet
because she gave all she had it is said of her that she surpassed all the rich
in offering gifts to God. Such gifts are valued not by their weight but by the
good will with which they were made" (Letter to Julian).
In this Sunday's Scripture readings, we can see two forces at
work, power and bread. The scribes openly seek power in the honor that clothes
it and the exploitation that gains it. Elijah and the widow needed bread. In
contrast, we can see that one grabs while the others - including the Gospel
widow - give.
A question we may want to ask ourselves is, "Am I a grabber
or a giver?"
Maybe this thought about faith will help give the answer to this
question:
"Some say faith
comes and goes,
has a certain instability in the human heart,
sometimes "slips and laughs and rallies."
has a certain instability in the human heart,
sometimes "slips and laughs and rallies."
But not so
"caring,"
a love and concern for others,
meeting the needs of the poor and suffering.
a love and concern for others,
meeting the needs of the poor and suffering.
Here is a constant,
once possessed,
that centers and anchors our lives.
once possessed,
that centers and anchors our lives.
No mood or season,
no weather front or fad,
can tarnish a caring heart.
no weather front or fad,
can tarnish a caring heart.
Yes, pray for faith.
Even more, care and
share
and God will be found." - Author Unknown
and God will be found." - Author Unknown