In today's reading, God's ongoing plan of salvation was accomplished by using two unlikely persons: One was Elijah, a lonely prophet rejected in his hometown, and the other, a poverty-stricken unnamed Gentile widow. Coincidence maybe God's way of remaining anonymous, but the encounter between these two people was undoubtedly providential.

Elijah must have been confounded by God's instruction to receive his provisions from a destitute widow. Nonetheless, having experienced God's miraculous powers that saved him, he submitted unquestionably and sets off to Zarephath in obedience, to meet the Gentile widow. She was preparing the last meal for herself and her son when she was baffled by Elijah's request for food. How was she going to feed Elijah with the meager portion she had? Still, she trusted. And it was in the midst of this seemingly contradictory setting that God uses Elijah to speak words of faith and assurance to the widow, labouring under a self-imposed death sentence. Through the exercise of a faith that surrendered to divine power, a hope that defied logic, and charity poured out in the love of his neighbour, a despised prophet could still respond with grace, and the poor widow with hospitality. God cannot be outdone in generosity if we cooperate with Him freely.

'... your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to Your Father in heaven.'