Daily Readings for Tuesday, June 10 2014. Today is Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 360

Reading 1
First Kings 17:7-16

⁷ But after a while the stream dried up, for the country had had no rain.

⁸ And then the word of Yahweh came to him,

⁹ 'Up and go to Zarephath in Sidonia, and stay there. I have ordered a widow there to give you food.'

¹⁰ So he went off to Sidon. And when he reached the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Addressing her he said, 'Please bring a little water in a pitcher for me to drink.'

¹¹ She was on her way to fetch it when he called after her. 'Please', he said, 'bring me a scrap of bread in your hand.'

¹² 'As Yahweh your God lives,' she replied, 'I have no baked bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug; I am just gathering a stick or two to go and prepare this for myself and my son to eat, and then we shall die.'

¹³ But Elijah said to her, 'Do not be afraid, go and do as you have said; but first make a little scone of it for me and bring it to me, and then make some for yourself and for your son.

¹⁴ For Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: Jar of meal shall not be spent, jug of oil shall not be emptied, before the day when Yahweh sends rain on the face of the earth.'

¹⁵ The woman went and did as Elijah told her and they ate the food, she, himself and her son.

¹⁶ The jar of meal was not spent nor the jug of oil emptied, just as Yahweh had foretold through Elijah.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 4:2-3, 4-5, 7-8

² Children of men, how long will you be heavy of heart, why love what is vain and chase after illusions?Pause

³ Realise that Yahweh performs wonders for his faithful, Yahweh listens when I call to him.

⁴ Be careful not to sin, speak in your hearts, and on your beds keep silence. Pause

⁵ Loyally offer sacrifices, and trust in Yahweh.

⁷ to my heart you are a richer joy than all their corn and new wine.

⁸ In peace I lie down and at once fall asleep, for it is you and none other, Yahweh, who make me rest secure.

Gospel
Matthew 5:13-16

¹³ 'You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled under people's feet.

¹⁴ 'You are light for the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden.

¹⁵ No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house.

¹⁶ In the same way your light must shine in people's sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven.

REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: LIGHT ON YOUR FEET

"Men do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket. They set it on a stand where it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, your light must shine before men." –Matthew 5:15-16

At the time Jesus spoke the words quoted above, light came from fire. Electricity and light bulbs did not exist. People had to "light a lamp" in order for light to be produced. Darkness could not be overcome unless something was set on fire (see Mt 4:16).

Jesus came to "light a fire on the earth" (Lk 12:49). When Jesus ministered to people, their hearts burned inside them (Lk 24:32) and they passed on that light to others (Lk 24:33ff). The Church teaches us this truth so vividly at the beautiful Easter Vigil liturgy. The church building is in darkness, and the light of Jesus is passed from one person's candle to another. Soon, the entire church is illuminated by the strength of everyone's candlelight.

A bishop once told his priests: "Do not be so afraid of being burned out that you never catch on fire." Jesus wills to make us like the burning bush: totally ablaze with light, yet not consumed (see Ex 3:2). The sight of our burning, yet not burned out, lives will attract others, bring them into God's presence, and result in vocations and liberation (see Ex 3:3ff). God wills that even nations and world leaders should walk by our light (Is 60:3).

Jesus provides the light. All we must do is be willing to be set on fire. Be a "lamp, set aflame and burning bright" (Jn 5:35).

PRAYER: Come, Holy Spirit! Enkindle in us the fire of Your love.

PROMISE: "O Lord, let the light of Your countenance shine upon us! You put gladness into my heart, more than when grain and wine abound." –Ps 4:7-8

PRAISE: Ben was abused and beaten as a child. Now, Ben praises Jesus for giving him the strength to be a loving, gentle father to his own children.

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