The Gospel in today’s Mass tells me that Jesus expects me to put some flavor into the lives of those I meet each day, to make them blessed; to make them joyful. It is the result of my living the Gospel message, the Beatitudes. My dealings with others flow out from who I am.
Example: If she understood French, Elijah would have said “Joie de vivre” to the widow of Zarephath as he slipped a little salt into her oil to give some zip. Straight oil from the jug is flat; not tasty, not exciting. Salt gives it a joie de vivre
The Lord expects me to bring joy to each one I encounter, to each one I offer to him. How can I do this if I am pious – but cheerless, sullen and grumpy?
I’ll pray today to the widow of Zarephath, as I pick up my daily pile of sticks, and to Elijah, as I sit and pray, for a deeper knowledge of how to live the Beatitudes and where and how to sprinkle salt, to put zip in the lives of those I meet.