TWENTY- NINETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Exodus 17:8-13

Ps 121

2 Timothy 3:14—3:2

Luke 18:1-8

KEEP ON PRAYING!!!

A Christian life is a journey of faith. Sometimes, this journey may be tough and tiresome. We may feel overwhelmed by problems and incapable of keeping on in the battle. As such, the Word of God and prayer are presented in today’s reading as the two wings with which we can move high and become overcomers. 

In the second reading, Paul reminds us of the importance of the Sacred Scriptures in this journey of faith. He makes three important assertions: (1) All Sacred Scripture is inspired by God; (2) Sacred Scripture is an indispensable guiding principle for a good, holy and fruitful Christian life; (3) the Word of God must be preached in season and out of season to convince, reprimand and encourage the community. St Paul insists in these things because he knows that the Word of God is an inexhaustible source of strength, a kind of pharmacy in the life of the Christian.

In the gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples the parable of the pestering widow and the unjust judge so as to encourage them to pray always without losing heart. For unlike the unjust judge, God will not refuse to hear the cries of his chosen ones who call him day and night. However, it is noteworthy that we cannot persevere in prayer if we lack faith, for to believe is to refuse to give up, to refuse to let down the hands. And this is demonstrated in the battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites narrated in the first reading.

In this perspective, three lessons may be drawn from this passage. (1) In our daily struggles, we are never alone. God is with us and is the one who fights for us. With him, victory is assured. (2) We must also participate in the redeeming action of God in our life. Like Joshua and the people, we must participate in the battle, we must fight. Like Moses and his team on the hill, we must support one another in various battles. (3) We must never give up even when the battle lasts until sunset, even if the enemy seems to prevail. The motto of the Hearts of Oak, a football team in Ghana, says “never say die until the bones are rotten.” Thus, keep fighting and praying! Don’t give up! For our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Amen