1 Kgs 17:7-16 / Mt 5:13-16
How would you react if you were confronted by a prophet of the caliber of Elijah?
The widow from Zarephath didn't seem all that surprised. Maybe it's because Elijah's reputation preceded him. Maybe it's because the word of God, spoken to the depths of her heart, pierced through all the defenses she would put up against a Jewish prophet. Maybe… but we can try all kinds of guesses.
For myself, I like the one about the word of God going to the depths of her heart. What word of God has recently touched your hearts so deeply? I know how I would answer that question. But for each of us it is bound to be different.
For some, maybe the recent movie The Passion of The Christ fired something in your soul. Maybe it was coming into His Church during this recent Easter season. Maybe it was the new promise of a baby being baptized. Or maybe, as with me, it was watching two new priests being ordained.
The promise of God's care being with us can break through the hardest of shells or the softest of skins.
This widow trusted Elijah as no one in Israel would. And that trust was rewarded with life. Look around for the voice of God. You can find His voice speaking through Scripture or through life around you. You do not need a prophet of the caliber of Elijah, you have the Holy Spirit within you. The Lord, the God of Israel, speaks to us today. Trust that you can hear His voice. Who knows, maybe by listening now, you may become a prophet of the caliber of Elijah.
His spirit was shared with Elisha. Maybe someone in this generation should receive that same "double portion" (see 2 Kings 2:1-14).
