The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Anthony of Padua, priest, religious, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Kings 17:7-16
Psalm 4:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8
Matthew 5:13-16

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The story's widow of Zarephath recalls how miraculously the Lord provided her with an ongoing and sufficient supply of flour and oil. Just when she thought she was at the very end of any options for providing for herself and her son, the Lord intervened. Not only was there enough for their needs, but enough to extend hospitality to Elijah.

The story tells something about how the Lord provides for us. Sometimes it seems as if it comes at a time when all seems hopeless. Perhaps this is to remind us of the fact that we are always and everywhere dependent on the Lord for our life and sustenance. It is all too easy to think that somehow we provide for ourselves when in truth we have nothing that we haven't received because of God's providential goodness.

Being grateful and aware of how indebted we are for all we enjoy is fundamentally necessary; it keeps us grounded in the truth of who we are and much more importantly who God is. It also curbs any tendencies in us toward stinginess and provides us the opportunity to share with others as God has so kindly shared with us.

"When I call answer me. O my just God, you who relieve me when I am in distress." (see Psalm 4)

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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