1 Kings 17:7-16 / Matthew 5:13-16
Stories of faith and generosity always make a deep impression on us.
The story of the widow's faith and her generosity towards Elijah in the 1st reading, will not only impress us, but it also impressed Jesus.
He referred to it when he was preaching in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth (Luke 4 : 25-26).
That widow shared with Elijah what she had every right to keep for herself and her son.
She shared what stood between her and starvation to death.
Her faith and generosity was the essence of what Jesus was talking about in the gospel.
Our generosity is like the light that shines out from us.
Our faith is like the salt in the food which could not be seen but could be tasted.
Our generosity shows our faith, and our faith nourishes our generosity.
Salt and light are essential elements in our daily lives.
Similarly, our faith and generosity are essentially what we should live in our lives.
That is also what others are essentially looking for in us.