Daily Readings - Sun Oct 20 2019
Exodus
8Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.9So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."10So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.11Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.12But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.13And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
2 Timothy
14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,17that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Luke
1And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.2He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.3And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'4For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man,5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'"6And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.7And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?8I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he 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.