29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Exodus 17:8-13

Psalm 121

2 Timothy 3:14—3:2

Luke 18:1-8

KEEP ON PRAYING !!!

A Christian life is a journey of faith with the Lord. 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 effect, 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 guide 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 Christian life.

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. First, 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.

 Second, we must also participate in the redeeming action of God. 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 ways. 

Third, we must never give up even when the battle lasts the whole day, or when the enemy seems to prevail. As the motto of Accra Hearts of Oak says “never say die until the bones are rotten”, keep fighting and praying! Don’t give up! For our help is from the Lord, he who loves and care for us. Amen