The unspent jar and the unquenchable light

Tuesday, 10th week in Ordinary Time

1 Kgs 17: 7-16; Mt 5: 13-16

In the Word Today we hear an episode so interesting and fabulous...the jar that would never be spent! That was because the widow was ready to give even the little she had, knowing well what it would cost her and her little son. She gave and she was blessed. She gave not merely from what she had, but all that she had, even the little that she had - does it ring a bell and remind you of another widow, who too gave all of the little that she had and was noticed by Jesus, in the Gospels? Yes, Jesus wanted to draw a loud parallel between the two to ensure that the disciples understood that suck kind of persons do continue to exist and continue to challenge us!

Jesus teaches us today, of another type of giving... giving not merely from what we have and not even giving all that we have, but giving what we are! He uses the imagery of light to impress this spirituality on to our hearts. We are called to be light and to share that light with the world. We are called to shine, to enlighten the lives of people, to show them the path to the Lord... to be light in all ways possible. 

Being light and sharing that light is not merely giving of what we have and being done with it - it is giving others, giving the world, giving everyone regardless of who they are, giving all of them from what we ARE. 

Our light should shine for others, not for ourselves. It should shine certainly not to showcase our own greatness and so called achievements! Let us remember - when it shines for others, it will never be quenched, just like that jar that would never be spent!