Daily Readings - Sun Oct 20 2019
Exodus
8The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.9Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."10So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.11As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.12When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-one on one side, one on the other-so that his hands remained steady till sunset.13So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
2 Timothy
14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Luke
1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men,5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will 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.