Readings:
1 Kings 17:7-16
Matthew 5: 13-16
The present state of the world is where the ‘rubber hits the road’ for us. It’s the world of floods and fires and rain, the world of war in Ukraine, the world of Covid. We’ve just celebrated the feast of Pentecost. The great Spirit of God, earthed through Jesus in his words and in his actions, continues now! That same spirit continues to touch us and to turn us into prophets for today. God’s word today is a challenge to our optimism and our belief in a good future. The drought which destroyed crops and hope is the place to which the prophet Elijah is sent. “The jar of flour will not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.” We won’t run out of what we need, but not of what we want. The prophet is the channel for God’s miracle in the heart of tragedy and what looks like the end!
The gospel passage comes immediately after Jesus has spoken the Beatitudes – the road to happiness. He calls us to not just keep the rules. He wants us to be a beacon of hope, to bring light where there is none. We have work to do as disciples if we are to continue the vision that Jesus shows in his life. So, as we face the crisis of climate change, as we face violence and war in an uncertain world, we’re invited to trust that the jug of flour will not go empty.
These are days that call for renewed trust and hope in all our hearts.
Fr.Kevin Dance CP is the vicar of the St.Brigid’s retreat Marrickville. He is very actively involved in ministries locally and Passionist International which he served as the executive director many years.