MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
1 Kings, Chapter 17, Verse 13
Elijah said to her,
“Do not be afraid. Go and do as you
have said. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Afterwards you
can prepare something for yourself and your son.
Anyone can be for the Lord during the good times; but
can you still have a heart of faith and love during the worst of times. Here
Elijah asked the widow of Zarephath to not be afraid and make a cake for him
from the last of her food during the worst famine in her lifetime. What she did
was just that and by her faith Elijah was able to multipl the oil and flour and
later even raises her son back to life. The lesson here is sin brings suffering
fidelity brings nourishment. The power of Yahweh to take away life and to
restore it is here demonstrated, as is Elijah’s confidence in the Lord.[1]
The widow of Zarephath was challenged by the prophet
Elijah to share what little she had, in spite of her desperate circumstances.
Because of this poor woman’s generosity and goodness, and Elijah’s
faithfulness, God strengthened the prophet’s faith and renewed his capacity for
ministry. The Lord used the prophet to bring consolation and peace of mind and
heart to the widow and her son.
Authentic ministry is always mutual: we set out to help others and we
end up being helped and blessed by the very people we set out to help! The Lord
will provide for us, beyond outward appearances of weakness, failure, fatigue,
trepidation and fear. God always does far more than we can ever ask for or
imagine! This striking Old Testament story forces us to ask some serious questions
of our own lives.
·
How
have I responded to the needs of those around us when we've felt that we’ve got
little or nothing to give? Do we worry that there will not be enough for us if
we give away our money or our time? Elijah exhorted the widow with the words,
"Do not be afraid." This same admonition is repeated in the Gospels
and was also the refrain of St. John Paul II's long, fruitful, prophetic
Petrine ministry: "Be not afraid!"
·
How
does fear affect our lives and keep us from obeying the spirit of the Lord? Do
we cling to those things that cannot help us, forgetting to trust in the
goodness of God? The widow of Zarephath was generous with Elijah. She gave to
the limit of her resources, and God rewarded both the widow and her son.
·
Do
we have that same radical faith and trust? Do we behave as if we are owners of
our talents and resources or simply as if we are God's steward? This reading
causes us to make some firm resolves with our own lives. Let me suggest a few
concrete actions based on this story from the First Book of Kings. It is
important to consider our own willingness to be generous with both material
goods and with our very being. Perhaps this week we can ask God for the grace
to respond charitably to those who ask of us, whether it is a worthwhile
charity or the neighbor, friend or colleague who simply needs to talk and to be
heard. The well-to-do who put money in the treasury were never condemned by
Jesus; he simply pointed out the nature of their contribution. They gave from
their surplus, and thus it did not "cost" them as much to give.
·
Do
we have a surplus from which to contribute? If so, do we use this money in the
best way possible? How do we consider our charitable giving? Are we concerned
with the poor, the sick, the homeless, refugees and those on the peripheries of
society? Do we use our wealth to help create a culture of life? Or are we more
interested in building up our personal security? Perhaps we can pray this week
for wisdom and a spirit of generosity so that we will use our money to help
further the kingdom of God.
Events had happened in Europe only several years earlier, and this no doubt was still fresh in people's minds. Napoleon Bonaparte had jailed Pope Pius VI who died in goal, after which Pope Pius VII was elected. Just a short time later, he too was jailed by Napoleon, who kept him prisoner at Fontainbleau, 35 miles from Paris. The Holy Father vowed to God that, if he were restored he would institute a special feast in honour of Mary. Military reverses forced Napoleon to release the Pope, and on May 24th, 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later, the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians, be kept on the 24th of May.
Australia became the first nation in the world to have, Mary, Help of Christians as Patroness: the first church to celebrate May 24th on a national scale (elsewhere the feast was restricted to Rome and specified places); and the first country to have a mother-cathedral under the same title.
Mary Help of Christian’s patroness of Australia and of the Military
Ordinariate (Feast: 24th May)
Almighty
God deepen in our hearts our love of Mary Help of Christians. Through her
prayers and under her protection, may the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace. Grant wisdom to our
leaders and integrity to our citizens. Bless especially the men and women of
the Australian Defense Force and their families. We ask this through Christ Our
Lord. Amen.
Mary
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Things to Do:
·
Make
a virtual visit to the chapel of Our Lady, Help of Christians at the Basilica of the National
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
·
Read
more about Our Lady, Help of Christians.
·
Travel
via the Internet to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians built by St. John Bosco as a
monument to the Virgin Mary, with the title Help of Christians, as the mother
church and spiritual center of the Salesian Congregation.
Daily Devotions
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