June 10

June 10, 2014:  Tuesday, 10th Week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• 1 Kgs 17:7-16  When brook near Elijah ran dry, God sent him to a widow at Zarephath.  He asked her for water and bread, but she said she had so little that she and her son were about to die.  He told her that if after she fed him, the flour and oil wouldn't run out.  She did, and so it was. 

• Ps 4:2-5, 7b-8  "Lord, let your face shine on us."  Have pity and hear my prayer!

• Mt 5:13-16  “You're the salt of the earth, but if salt loses its taste, it's no longer any good.  You're the light of the world.  People put lamps on stands to give light to all.  Shine your light before others so they see your good deeds and glorify your Father.”

Music for the gospel

• Light of the world/ Kendzia
• We are the light of the world/ Grief:  standard, contemporary
• Fragrance prayer/ Booth, Newman
• All that is hidden/ Farrell
• We are/ Jobe (lyrics)
• Light of the world, from Godspell/ Schwartz:  10th anniversary (more info), 2011 revival
• This little light of mine/ Loes
• I am the Light of the World/ Hayakawa (note last verse)

Reflections

• Creighton:  Salt was valuable as preservative and seasoning, traded like gold; penetrate, purify, and preserve the world from sin and "season" it.  Lamps enable sight and help avoid stumbling; live in the light of God’s truth and love.  Bear light in word and deed so others may see truth and be freed from darkness.

• One Bread One Body:  In Jesus' time, light came from fire, so darkness couldn't be overcome unless something was set on fire.  Jesus came to light a fire; when he ministered, people's hearts burned and they passed on the light to others.  Jesus provides the light, but we need to be willing to be set aflame.

• DailyScripture.net:  Jesus used describe God's transforming effect on us via salt:  as salt, we're to purify, preserve, and enhance the flavor of God's kingdom to others.  After salt intensified ovens' heat, it lost its savor and was thrown out.  We lose our savor if we allow sin to corrupt us, but God wants us to remain "salty" by good living, for our sake and others'.  Jews understood light as symbol of God's beauty, truth, and goodness; his word is a lamp to guide us.  Christ's light shines in believers and enables us to see God’s kingdom. 

• Passionist:  How many of my God-given gifts do I not use?  What if I quit hiding my light?

• Sacred Space

Apparel

• "Wheat" pin:  “Please bring me some bread.” (Elijah to Zarephath widow in 1st reading); God puts gladness into my heart, more than when grain abounds (psalm)

• "Shining faces" tie:  "Lord, let your face shine on us." (psalm)

• "Kneeling person" tie bar:  "hear my prayer!" (psalm)

• "Hearts" suspenders:  "How long will you be dull of heart?...  You put gladness into my heart." (psalm)

• "Lampstand" tie pin (shhh: actually a rotated key):  A lamp should be set on a stand to give light to all (gospel)

• Green in shirt + red in tie and suspenders:  Ordinary Time season + Pentecost week

Dress your life!