The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. So the LORD said to Elijah: “Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have designated a widow there to provide for you.”He left and went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink. ”She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread. ”She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.”Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’" She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
REFLECTION
She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
God used prophets like Elijah to give people messages about their future consequences for not obeying Him. Yet, He will give blessings for obeying him. There have been modern-day prophets like, Blessed Bishop Fulton Sheen, who warned us of the signs of the spread of communism and how to stop it.
These men came to wake us up. We have gotten too comfortable by ignoring small changes in society that grow into an explosion of vices. God told Elijah because man would not stop worshiping other gods, He was going to stop the rains. They didn't obey. The rain stopped. People were starving because there were no crops, no livestock, and no streams flowing with water.
'The poor widow knew that the little oil and flour she had was enough for one meal for her son and herself. Then there would be nothing left and they would starve to death. Still, she obeyed Elijah and made a small cake for Elijah, her son and herself. Just as Elijah had said God gave them enough flour and oil for a year till the rains came.
Let us learn from God's Word and the priestly prophets that we must follow God's commandments, repent when we have gone astray, and trust that God will provide for those who obey His warnings.
Thank God for His providential care by sending us prophets.
May we wake up and obey His messengers.
Pray for all Priests to speak the truth and guide us to follow God's commandments. Here is our PAPA Prayer for Priests.
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