Daily Readings - Sun Oct 20 2019
Exodus
8Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.9And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.10So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.11And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.12But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.13And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
2 Timothy
14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Luke
1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the 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.