Feeding and being fed

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today connect with daily life that is supported by Providence and with life that is radiated by living in harmony with Jesus Way.

Adding salt

The faith demonstrated to Elijah by the widow of Zarephath in the First Book of Kings begins a time of Divine support to sustain three people in drought.

the widow acknowledges the divine source of the word Elijah speaks; the center of narrative tension on this level is the gradual characterization of the prophet as one who receives a divine word (vv. 2, 8), obeys it (v. 5), conveys an effective divine word of threat (v. 1) or promise (vv. 14, 16), and even speaks an effective human word of entreaty to God (vv. 20, 22).

During the Sermon on the Mount, in the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus compares people living in connection to God as salt and light in the world. Visible signs of the Presence of God in the world is a theme that connects the texts today.

* [5:13–16] By their deeds the disciples are to influence the world for good. They can no more escape notice than a city set on a mountain. If they fail in good works, they are as useless as flavorless salt or as a lamp whose light is concealed.

Vivian Amu admits that it is not always easy to see oneself as a preserving agent or enhancing agent. It is not always easy for others to see us as fellow beacons of light and preservers of love for the greater glory of God.

So, let us come out from under the bushel, courageously walk out from the dark, sit up, stand up, let our good deeds be known — this world loses its flavor without us, children of God; it is dark without our light — our God given light.  “You are the light of the world”, “you are the salt of the world”, “you are a city set on a mountain”, these should be our daily affirmations. Let us keep our heads up, straighten our shoulders, and make our voices heard. Let our light be seen by everyone for the greater glory of God.

Don Schwager quotes Chromatius, an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and St. Jerome, who described him as a "most learned and most holy man.

The Lord has already called his disciples the "salt of the earth" because they seasoned with divine wisdom the hearts of the human race which had been made tasteless by the devil. Now he also calls them the "light of the world." For, illumined by his very own self who is the true and eternal light, they too become light within the darkness. For since he himself is the sun of righteousness, he rightly also calls his disciples "light of the world." Through them, as if through shining rays, he poured the light of his knowledge on the entire world. For by showing the light of truth, the Lord's disciples made the darkness of error flee from people's hearts. (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 19.1.1-2)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 5:13-16 emphasizes that we are part of God’s beautiful rainbow. We should go out and let that rainbow shine!

So you can reject any thought that tries to tell you that other people may possess great gifts—but not you. You can reject any thought that tries to convince you that God’s light won’t shine through you until you are perfect. Nobody’s perfect!

Friar Jude Winkler shares background to the text in 1 Kings where Elijah is sent to Zarapha to a widow with one child who is about to die. Her obedience and generosity helped feed the three throughout the drought. Friar Jude explains the dual positions for Christians of being seen and doing things quietly in secret.

Salt and Light Catholic Media is one online source of more of the latest Catholic news and stories.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, looks to situations in the justice system where retributive justice in a dualistic system of reward and punishment seems to be the best that prisons, courtrooms, wars, and even most of the church (which should know better) appear equipped to do.

What humanity really needs is an honest exposure of the truth and accountability for what has happened. Only then can human beings move ahead with dignity. Hurt needs to be spoken and heard. It does not just go away on its own. This can then lead to “restorative justice,” which is what the prophets invariably promise to the people of Israel (e.g., Ezekiel 16:53; Isaiah 57:17-19) and is exemplified in Jesus’ story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) and throughout his healing ministry. We lose that and we lose the Gospel itself.

Our role as salt and light is seen in mutual apology, healing, and forgiveness. This offers a sustainable future for humanity. Otherwise, we are controlled by the past, individually and corporately. Father Richard underlines that we all need to apologize, and we all need to forgive or this human project will surely self-destruct.

References


(n.d.). CHAPTER 17 Elijah Proclaims a Drought. 1Elijah the Tishbite, from .... Retrieved June 12, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/1kings/1kings17.htm

(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved June 12, 2018, from http://usccb.org/bible/matthew/5

(n.d.). Creighton's Online Ministries - Creighton University. Retrieved June 12, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 12, 2018, from http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/

(n.d.). Saint Barnabas, Apostle (Memorial) - Mass Readings and Catholic .... Retrieved June 12, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(2017, December 30). 2018 Daily Meditations - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 12, 2018, from https://cac.org/2018-daily-meditations/