Homily for Tuesday
Week 10 of Ordinary Time
June 9, 2026
1 Kings 17: 7-16
Christian Brothers, St.
Joseph’s Residence, N.R.
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| Elijah & the Widow of Zarephath (Bartholomeus Breenbergh) |
“Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink” (1 Kings 17: 10).
Elijah’s request of
the widow at Zarephath calls to mind Jesus’ promise, “Anyone who gives you a
cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ … will surely not lose his
reward” (Mark 9:41).
The widow goes beyond
that, trusting completely in the prophet’s promise that God will provide for
her and her son in addition to him. Her
faith is so great that Jesus cites it in his famous, poorly received sermon in his
hometown synagog (Luke 4:25-26), indicating that the faith of Gentiles pleases
God. Given how God cared for this
faith-filled woman, how could anyone deny that?
The poor widow wasn’t
an accomplished person. She had no
wealth, no talent, no connections, no influence to offer God—only her faith. She acted on her faith, and God saved
her. Our faith in God, in spite of our
limitations, our weaknesses, and our failures, is our salvation.
