Our readings today speak to us not only about the importance of prayer but also about the power of prayer - about being persistent in our prayer lives whether it be convenient or not, and about faith, about staying the course - no matter what - we are to remain faithful to God who remains faithful to us.
Our first reading is from the Book of Exodus, which is the second book of the Pentateuch - “exodus” is a Greek word that means departure and this book is called the Book of Exodus because the central event in it is the departure of God’s chosen people - the Israelites - from Egypt.
Jesus would have studied and known the Book of Exodus. It tells us about the oppression of the Israelites in Egypt, the birth and education of Moses, his flight into the land of Midian, his encounter with God in the burning bush on Mount Sinai, his return to Egypt to plead with Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, the 9 plagues of Egypt, the institution of the Passover, the passing of the Israelites through the Red Sea, the ten commandments, the golden calf, and the forty years of wandering in the desert. It continues the history of God’s chosen people where the book of Genesis left off.
The time between the crossing through the Red Sea and the arrival of the Israelites at Mount Sinai was three months. It was during this three month period that the people complained that they were thirsty. God commanded Moses to speak to a rock (he struck it with his staff) and water flowed from it for the people to drink. Our first reading today occurs immediately after the rock story.
The Amalekites where a nomadic tribe that controlled the caravan routes between Egypt and Aabia. They made a terrible mistake - the decided to wage war against God’s chosen people - little did they know that they were doomed from the start. Just like the Germans where when they targeted the Jews in what would become known as the Holocaust.
Moses, said to Joshua “Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage the Amalekites in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”
Joshua was obedient and followed Moses’ command - he had faith in Moses and God - he would be fighting while Moses watched from the hilltop.
As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, the Amalekites had the better of the fight.
Just visualize for a moment, Moses standing on the hill, arms outstretched to God - pleading for deliverance, for victory for his people. Keep that visual in mind during the rest of our celebration today, watch what Fr. _________ does at the altar - he stretches out his arms, raises them to God - pleading for our deliverance and that the gifts we offer be worthy in God’s eyes.
Moses, we are told, grew tired, so a rock was put in place for him to sit upon and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset - and Joshua we are told - mowed down the Amalikites with the edge of the sword.
The challenge for each of us here is to take a good look at how well we support our religious leaders - our priests, our pastors, the Bishops and Cardinals and ultimately the Pope. How well does the clergy support the Pope? I think it can be said that on both a local parish level and a universal Church level there is a lot of room for improvement in this area - we could support each other better than we do and the clergy could support each other and the Church hierarchy better than they do - if we could stop the politics in the Church, if we could end the backbiting and put a stop to the arguing then just perhaps we would see success, we could see the tide that today that appears to be full of evil and darkness turned back.
Our second reading is from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy - remember that Timothy is the Bishop of Ephesus. Timothy has encounter some problems from the powerful and rich in and outside of the fledgling Church in Ephesus - and St. Paul addresses him as pastor of this congregation.
If you read the entire letter, which is only a couple pages, it takes on the character of a final exhortation and testament from St Paul to the younger Timothy. Paul is portrayed as a prisoner in Rome. The letter reveals that, with rare exceptions, Christians have not rallied like they should have to Paul’s support and it reveals a pessimistic view of the outcome of his case.
It describes though Paul as fully aware of what is going to happen and his faith in God not in human beings for his deliverance. It points to Paul’s preaching of the Gospel as the reason for his imprisonment and offers Timothy, as a motive for steadfastness, his own example of firmness in faith despite adverse circumstances. The letter also suggests that Timothy should prepare others to replace himself as St. Paul has prepared Timothy to replace him.
This letter urges Timothy to protect the community in Ephesus from the inevitable impact of false teaching, without fear of the personal attacks that may result. It recommends that he rely on the power of holy scripture, on the proclamation of the word, and on sound doctrine - without being troubled by those who do not accept him.
Timothy, as well as us, is ever to keep in mind the sufferings of Christ, so that he and we may become partakers in Christ’s immortal life and reign with Him. Timothy, is also to remember St. Paul’s example as to how to live out the life of Christ.
Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures - which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Religious education back then held much greater importance than it does today. Jewish parents and families, and the whole community took religious education very seriously and instructed the children the their faith - and a child’s religious education was seen as the most important thing in their development - because the people back then knew that this life is passing - it is eternal life that is important - and even though learning a trade or making a living is important in this life - it is of little consequence when we focus on our eternal lives.
It goes on to say that all scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, correction, and training - so that one who belongs to God may be competent and equipped for every good work.
St. Paul’s letter doesn’t say that only scripture is useful - God always over provides for us - and it is Sacred Scripture along with Sacred Tradition and the teachings of the Church Magisterium that reveals the totality of God’s Truth - that makes up our deposit of Faith.
Our second reading today challenges us to take a good look at how well each of us knows our faith and what it is we do to grow in our faith - we can’t just focus on sacred scripture, or just on sacred tradition or just on what the Church Magisterium teaches - we have to take all three into consideration. And once we have that knowledge we are to be persistent in proclaiming the word - whether it is convenient or inconvenient; we are to convince, reprimand, and encourage through all patience and teaching.
In our Gospel reading we hear the parable about the dishonest judge - Jesus told his disciples this parable, and he is telling it to us today to express the necessity for us to pray always without becoming weary.
The last verse of the reading however, makes it clear that continual prayer is not what Jesus is talking about here - prayer without faith is useless - we need to remain firm in our faith: faith and prayer go hand in hand.
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, while it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this wido keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.
Jesus tells us today to pay attention to what the dishonest judge said. There are two lessons to be drawn from parable: if the persistent pleading of the helpless widow is fruitful, how much more then will be the persistent praying of you and I - disciples of Christ - be; and is an dishonest judge yields to the pleadings of a widow, how much more and how much faster will a gracious and loving God yield to our pleading?
The question we are left with is whether or not we will remain faithful to God - when it appears He doesn’t hear or answer our prayers.
Being persistent in prayer isn’t easy. For me personally, it is the right to life, and the fight to end abortion that challenges my faith. How long can the killing of innocent babies go on. It has been 34 years now since roe vs. wade and over 50 million babies have been aborted.
But I trust in God. I trust that those aborted babies are with Him in heaven - I trust that those hurt by abortion will be healed. I keep my eye on God - you see we know already how this and every story ends - God wins - he is victorious in Christ - who defeated death.
Annapolis story
Choose Life Maryland plates
Oct 27th at 10 AM in annapolis
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