Offer right sacrifices

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 Kings 17:7-16 Psalm 4:2-5, 7-8 Matthew 5:13-16

Psalm 4:5  Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD

In some places we are told that God prefers mercy rather than sacrifice.  But the problem is not the sacrifice but rather the "rightness" of the sacrifice. Elijah told the woman to feed him first with what she thought was the last of the food and oil.  It took great trust, to do that.  God asks us to trust him and our sacrifice is a sign of our trust.  What we give and are willing to give is a measure of our faith and trust in the Lord.

Yes, we should  always show mercy, but you have to trust God even to do that.  Our sacrifice is a measure of our trust.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to always show mercy but to also trust you enough to make my sacrifice to be acceptable to you.

Amen