The WORD today reminds me that God provides for us day by day.
I love eating. A lot. And I love eating buffet style, where I can see a lot of food at the same time. I want the assurance that there will be food for me when I want it. That there are a lot of food. I want to be secured that even if I take my time eating, I will still have enough to eat when I want to. This kind of security is the opposite of what God is reminding us in the first reading.
Sometimes, God provides for our needs one day at a time.
In the first reading, Elijah was living near the brook when it ran dry. That was his source of water. But God continued to take care of him. God told him to go to Zarephath, and that a widow will take care of him. Of course, faith is required. A widow is not exactly the kind of person who can take care of others. A widow is one of the least in society during that time. She had no husband to take care of her. However, Elijah had faith. He obeyed God. And when the widow was told that God will provide, she had faith and obeyed. And God provided for them day by day as Elijah spoke.
We may not see and understand everything. However, God does. We just need to live by faith.
God did not give Elijah a lifetime supply of water. God did not give the widow a room full of flour and oil. No. Just like what he did to Moses and the Israelites with manna, He provided for them day by day. he probably wanted them to trust in him every single day. He wanted them to live by faith, and not to have the security that they can see a lot already. God wants us to live like this as well.
When we have problems, huge problems, it can overwhelm us. And just as the easy way of solving complex problems is breaking it down to simple problems and addressing them one by one, the best way of surviving huge problems is living one day at a time. Baby steps. And as we do, we continue to trust that God will provide. That God will take care of us. we have faith every day that God will still be there for us.
We are still in a pandemic situation. It has been months. We may be frustrated. We may be scared. We may be angry. Yes, situation may not be perfect. But we cannot deny that God has been with us every step of the way. He has constantly been reminding us of his love. Of his provisions. Of his protection. Of his guidance. Day by day. Little by little.
How do I react when faced with huge problems? What do I do when seemingly impossible situations stare me in the face? How do I feel with this pandemic? Do I panic or do I still have faith in God? What situations have God proven his love and protection for me, and took care of me? How have I survived seemingly impossible challenges in my life? What does God want me to remember? What is he telling me today?
May we learn to live be faith, not by sight, trusting in him day by day.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to know about you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I get overwhelmed with life. Sorry for letting my problems and fears overwhelm me. Sorry for not trusting in you enough. Sorry for wanting to see and understand what your plan for me is, what is in store for me. Help be live like Elijah and the widow. Help me live day by day trusting you. Help me live in faith, not by sight. Increase my faith in you. I know your love and protection are greater than any problem, no matter how huge it may seem. I trust in you fully. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
June 09, 2020
Tuesday of Week 10; St. Ephrem
FIRST READING
1 Kings 17:7-16
The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. So the LORD said to Elijah: “Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I 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, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 4:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8
R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us.
When I call, answer me, O my just God, you who relieve me when I am in distress; Have pity on me, and hear my prayer! Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart? Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood?
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one; the LORD will hear me when I call upon him. Tremble, and sin not; reflect, upon your beds, in silence.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us! You put gladness into my heart, more than when grain and wine abound.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
ALLELUIA
Matthew 5:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
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