Daily Readings - Sun Oct 19 2025
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
The readings today remind us of the importance of perseverance and trust in God’s providence, even in the face of challenges. In the first reading from Exodus, Moses leads the Israelites in battle against Amalek. Though Moses’ raised hands symbolize prayer and trust in God, his human weakness sets in, and he grows tired. It is only through the support of Aaron and Hur that he can continue, showing us that our faith is not a solitary act but one sustained by community and mutual support. The victory over Amalek is not just a military triumph but a spiritual one, demonstrating that God’s power works through our efforts and our reliance on Him.
The second reading from 2 Timothy emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to the teachings of Scripture. St. Paul reminds Timothy that the Sacred Scriptures are our guide for salvation and that they equip us for every good work. This reading encourages us to stay rooted in the Word of God, even when the world around us seems uncertain or hostile. It also reminds us of the responsibility to share the Gospel with urgency and patience, trusting in God’s plan to bring about His kingdom.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow, teaching us about the necessity of prayer and trust in God’s justice. The unjust judge, who neither fears God nor respects man, is moved to act simply because the widow’s persistence wears him down. Jesus contrasts this with God, who is just and loving, promising that He will vindicate His elect who cry out to Him day and night. Yet, the parable ends with a haunting question: will faith still be found on earth when the Son of Man returns? This challenges us to examine our own commitment to prayer and our trust in God’s timing.
These readings call us to live with perseverance and faith. Like Moses, we may grow weary, but we are not alone—God provides us with the support of others and the strength of His Word. Like the widow, we must persist in prayer, trusting that God hears us and will act in His time. And like Timothy, we are called to remain faithful to the teachings of Scripture and to share the Good News with courage and patience. As we go about our daily lives, let us remember that our struggles are not in vain. God is always at work, even when we cannot see it, and He will bring about justice and peace in His own time. Let us pray for the grace to remain steadfast in faith, to trust in His providence, and to live as witnesses of His love in a world that often seems indifferent to it.