Daily Bible Reading

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

LECTIONARY
360

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.

PSALM
PS 4:2-3, 4-5, 7B-8

Response: 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?

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.

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

GOSPEL
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."

Daily Reflection

9th June 2026

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

The story of the prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, in the first reading, requires what seems to be an impossible leap of faith. Of course, God is faithful and the widow and her son are provided for. But, oh, what a risk, what trust! This story from the Old Testament invites us to ask for the grace to trust in God's fidelity, that we might care for others with the same selflessness.

In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to be both salt and light. As authentic witnesses of God’s love, we bring flavour and light to the lives of others through our own way of living. But when we fail to do this, all of life's experiences - no matter how rich or full of pleasure - will eventually "spoil" and become tasteless.

When Jesus says we are ‘light’, He refers to the gifts that we have been given which, when used rightly, bear witness to God. It defeats our very purpose to "cover up" our gifts.

May our faith in God light up the world!