Daily Readings - Sun Oct 20 2019
Exodus
8And Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim9And Moses said to Joshua: "Choose men. And when you go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.10Joshua did as Moses had spoken, and he fought against Amalek. But Moses and Aaron and Hur ascended to the top of the hill11And when Moses lifted up his hands, Israel prevailed. But when he released them a little while, Amalek overcame12Then the hands of Moses became heavy. And so, taking a stone, they placed it beneath him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur sustained his hands from both sides. And it happened that his hands did not tire until the setting of the sun13And Joshua put to flight Amalek and his people by the edge of the sword
2 Timothy
14Yet truly, you should remain in those things which you have learned and which have been entrusted to you. For you know from whom you have learned them15And, from your infancy, you have known the Sacred Scriptures, which are able to instruct you toward salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus16All Scripture, having been divinely inspired, is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in justice17so that the man of God may be perfect, having been trained for every good work
Luke
1Now he also told them a parable, that we should continually pray and not cease2saying: "There was a certain judge in a certain city, who did not fear God and did not respect man3But there was a certain widow in that city, and she went to him, saying, ‘Vindicate me from my adversary.4And he refused to do so for a long time. But afterwards, he said within himself: ‘Even though I do not fear God, nor respect man5yet because this widow is pestering me, I will vindicate her, lest by returning, she may, in the end, wear me out.’ 6Then the Lord said: "Listen to what the unjust judge said7So then, will not God grant the vindication of his elect, who cry out to him day and night? Or will he continue to endure them8I tell you that he will quickly bring vindication to them. Yet truly, when the Son of man returns, do you think that he will find faith on earth?
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful lessons on perseverance, faith, and the importance of community and Scripture. The Exodus passage recounts the battle against Amalek, where Moses' raised hands, supported by Aaron and Hur, lead the Israelites to victory. This story highlights the necessity of perseverance and the strength found in communal support. The second reading from 2 Timothy emphasizes the divine inspiration of Scripture, urging us to remain rooted in its teachings and to share the Gospel with urgency and patience. The Gospel parable of the persistent widow illustrates the effectiveness of relentless prayer, reassuring us that God, unlike the unjust judge, will swiftly vindicate His faithful.
These readings weave together the themes of perseverance and trust in God's justice. Moses' triumph shows that even in our weakest moments, support from others can sustain us. The widow's persistence teaches us to pray without ceasing, trusting in God's timing and righteousness. Scripture, as Timothy notes, equips us with the wisdom and courage to live out our faith, even in challenging times. Together, these passages remind us that our faith journey is not solitary but supported by community and guided by Scripture.
In our daily lives, we face numerous challenges that test our resolve. Let us draw strength from these readings. When we feel weary, may we reach out to others for support, just as Moses did. Let us turn to Scripture for guidance and encouragement, and may we persist in prayer, trusting that God hears and will act. As we navigate life's trials, let us hold fast to our faith, knowing that God's justice and love will prevail. May we remain steadfast, trusting in His plan and timing, and may our faith endure until the end.