2024/11/10 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

- Katie Bak, Sr. Director of Admin & Facilities

In this passage, Elijah is sent by God to Zarephath during a severe drought. He encounters a widow gathering sticks and asks her for water and bread. Despite her dire situation, with only a handful of flour and a little oil left, she obeys Elijah’s request. Miraculously, her jar of flour and jug of oil do not run dry until the drought ends.

This story is a powerful testament to faith, obedience, and God’s providence. Despite the woman’s desperate circumstances, she chooses to trust Elijah’s words and, by extension, God’s promise. Her act of faith is rewarded with a miracle that sustains her and her son throughout the famine – and wow, what a powerful and timely story for this season of life.

The faith that this woman has that God will provide is such an important reminder especially in a time of uncertainty. As I write this, I’ve just tuned into election day coverage and throughout all the noise I am trying to find moments of calm and prayer to ground myself and give myself that reminder that God in fact, will provide.

This story also underscores God’s concern for the marginalized and our responsibility to care for all. The widow, a symbol of vulnerability, becomes the recipient of God’s miraculous care. This reminds us of our call to support and care for those in need, trusting that God works through our acts of kindness and generosity.

As we barrel (how did this happen so fast!?) into November and the holidays while in the midst of an uncertain time in our country, but also a tremendous season of giving, love and generosity, this story is a powerful reminder that as disciples we are called to always have faith that God will provide and to always act with an open heart, caring hands and kind words.