Liturgy Alive, Models of Celebrations

1 Kgs 17:7 –16; Ps 4:2 – 3, 4 – 5, 7b– 8; Mt 5:13 –16

Daily Gospel

First Reading: 1 Kgs 17:7 –16

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.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 4:2 – 3, 4 – 5, 7b– 8

R./ Lord, let your face shine on us.

When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart?
Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood?
R./ Lord, let your face shine on us.

Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
Tremble, and sin not;
reflect, upon your beds, in silence.
R./ Lord, let your face shine on us.

O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart,
more than when grain and wine abound.
R./ Lord, let your face shine on us.

Gospel Reading Introduction
During the communist regime in Poland, only a dozen or so Catholic secondary schools for girls remained under the direction of religious sisters. They had to follow the state program without any religion. When asked whether there was still any sense in their work, a sister directress answered: "We stay with the girls, we are a presence among them. If we try to be good Christians, we automatically let the light shine. Light is its own proof. One has not to talk about it." Her Words echo those of Christ in the Gospel. A Christian has not necessarily to preach from a pulpit. Authentic Christian living is a proclamation all by itself.

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:13 –16

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if
salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer
good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot
be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a
bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all
in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that
they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

Commentary

Our world experiences plenty of the darkness of sin and corruption. The culture around us neither enlightens nor enriches the soul. Jesus is the light that scatters the darkness, and He does so by shining through those who believe in Him.
The Lord gives us a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in this world by allowing His light to shine through us. May we be attentive to eliminating anything in our lives that would diminish or obscure His light. How else will the light of the Lord shine forth, except through those who are bearers of His light?

General Intercessions

- That in the Church there may be men and women today who show us something of the face of God by their goodness and concern for the poor and the little people, we pray:

- That in our communities we may be like the salt that preserves among us a sense of service and commitment to one another, we pray:

- That we may not be blind to the needs of the poor and those suffering and help them carry their burdens, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Our God and Father,
you give taste to our lives
through the bread and wine of your Son,
for they steep us in his love and faithfulness.
Do not allow us to lose our savor
but give it more vigor to use it to preserve in this world
the goodness and dedicated love
which you have shown us in your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

God our Father,
the Words spoken by your Son
have been a light on the path of life
and his body our source of renewal.
Do not allow us to hide the light
of his self-forgetting, faithful love
but let it shine in us,
that people may see in us
a reflection of his goodness
and give praise to you,
our God for ever and ever.

Blessing

"I am the light of the world," said Christ, and he says of us too: you are, you must be, the light of the world. Let your faith shine and inspire, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.