A Reflection for the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C).
Exodus 17:8-13 – 2Tim 3:14-4:2 – Luke 18:1-8.
Dear brothers and sisters, last Sunday’s readings reminded us of the importance of giving thanks to God in prayer. Collectively, this Sunday’s readings remind us of the many vital aspects of prayer: of the need to pray, of the importance of being fervent in prayer, of the requirement to make supplication to God, and of the need to persevere in prayer, and never to lose heart. We are to keep on and on praying until our prayers are answered (not necessarily in the way we are asking them to be answered) and until victory over the battles in our life has been won in Jesus’ Name.
No one has an easy ride through this life. Each one of us has specific challenges to overcome. Today’s readings express these individual challenges as the battles to be fought and won. As followers of Christ, we, the People of God, go forward and press on in the hope of attaining our goal of finding joy and peace in the Promised Land both now and in eternity. Like the Israelites wandering in the desert, we find ourselves confronted by multiple hurdles and trials to overcome to keep our lives going forward and in the right direction. As we struggle to find solutions to family, work, health, and spiritual issues, it’s easy for us to identify with Moses and the Hebrews wandering around and going nowhere fast. In the end, of course, God’s people did make it home to the Promised Land! They made the journey home from the land of slavery to the land flowing with milk and honey (Ex 3:8), and so do our souls to heaven after enduring and overcoming many trials and temptations.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus’ parable about the widow’s prayer for justice from an earthly judge reminds us that God is the ultimate judge of everyone (Ps 75:7; Is 33:22) and also that His help is readily and lovingly available to us whenever we pray. He adjudicates our trials of life, and He brings us to victory. We actively need to invite God into our lives daily so that He can deliver justice to us in all life’s challenges. We need God to right the wrongs and ills that plague us. We shouldn’t give up asking Him for help, nor should we stop reaching out to Him, even when our prayers seem not to produce the desired results. Jesus reassures us that God will respond – and with justice! – to those who call on Him. He may say “yes” or “no” or “wait,” but even when He delays in giving us justice and victory, it’s up to us to remain close to Him in fervent prayer and rooted faith.
We can accomplish quite a lot simply by applying ordinary human strength and effort in this world. Still, something extraordinary happens when God is invited into the epicentre of our struggles, labours and challenges. Now, let’s think about this phenomenon in the context of the 1st reading: over and above the material weapons of battle possessed by both sides, the Israelites had spiritual support and supernatural advantage – the weapons of Prayer and Faith. Scripture says if God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31) and unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain (Ps 127:1). The Israelites had God with them and on their side, and through Moses they implored God’s help. You see, anybody who has invited God into their life is already on the winning side! Moses had his staff in his hand and raised his arms to God while the battle raged. The staff indicated his authority as God’s elect, and the raising of his arms signified his prayer made in faith to God. What does this scenario mean for us? The staff of faith is a sign of our authority as God’s children, and the raising of our hands in prayer signifies our submission to God as our divine and all-powerful Father, Creator, and Sustainer who loves us so much (1Jn 4:8).
As long as Moses raised his arms, the Israelites were victorious, but it took a whole day for them to achieve victory. Without the help of Aaron and Hur, Moses hadn’t got the physical strength to keep his arms raised to ensure the Israelites’ success. We, too, need support. We need to express our solidarity with each other in communal prayer to God. Never forget that Jesus taught that where two or three are gathered in His Name, He is in the midst of them (Mt 18:20). Praying for one another and looking out for one another are both vital as we go through the struggles of life. Your presence and companionship may help somebody to carry a burden, survive a difficult time, and overcome an addiction or temptation. Let us continue to support one another as we wait on the Lord, no matter how long, or short a time He may delay: The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2Pet 3:9).
The need for fervent prayer is urgent. We need to stand with one another in faith and prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ so that He continues to strengthen and save us. We should neither be ashamed of lifting our hands in prayer and praise to God nor ashamed of persisting in prayer: we should do this from the morning of our lives till the evening. If anyone gets tired, as did Moses, we as Christians should be the ones to step up to offer our prayerful and practical support. Amen. God bless you.