1 Kings 17:7-16 / Matthew 5:13-16
When the world is hit by hard times, the result will be that there will be more and more people sinking into financial difficulties.
So the ranks of the poor and needy begins to swell and those who formerly were living just above the poverty line now find themselves having more companions as well as "competitors".
And those who are usually quite charitable to the poor and needy may find themselves facing some kind of charity fatigue.
With more and more calls for helping the poor and needy and donating to charity, the usually charitable people begin to feel that they cannot afford to donate anymore.
The widow in the 1st reading may have these thoughts as Elijah asked her for food.
She and her son were about to take their last meal but she still had a bit of charity to do as Elijah told do, and then of course, a miracle came out a little charity.
In the gospel, Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
As salt and light, we are the living miracles of God's charity because God created us with love.
Let us share whatever little we have, and trust that God will work a miracle with just a little charity from us.