Homily 29th Sunday Year C: Michael U Udoekpo
Readings: Exod 17:18-13; Ps 121:1-8; 2 Tim
3:14–4:2 and Luke 18:1-8
Persistence in Prayer and Preaching
(PPP)
Today we are called to celebrate and reflect on what I may
called, “Persistence in Prayer and Preaching” the word of God (PPP). There is
power in prayer of intercession, rooted in the scriptures; praying for one
another, for the church and for the community, at large. And this must done
without weariness
We see this in the first reading of today at the battle of
Raphidim between the Israelite and the Amelekites. While Joshua physically led
the charge Moses stood on the top of the mountain with the staff of God
supported by Aaron and Hur. The story is quite dramatic. As long as Moses
raised and stretched his hands, in prayers, and of course with the support of
Aaron and Hur the Israelite prevailed in the battled. But each time he lowered
his hands perhaps because of human fatigue, the Amelekites seemed to have prevailed.
The point here, if I may reiterate, is the power of prayer, and
the need to support and pray for one another always. No one is an Island. We ought to constantly support one another in
prayers without weariness, knowing that God is always there for us. Even the life of Jesus as you know was marked with prayer and preaching.
Take for example, Jesus began his journey to Jerusalem in Luke 9:51. On this journey, he taught the community particularly his disciples many
things. He preached charity. He preached modesty. He preached forgiveness and
inclusiveness. He taught his disciples how to be compassionate to everyone
including those we consider foreigners (Luke 10). He also taught them how to pray (Luke 11). He taught them
how to be vigilant and courageous in preaching the word of God; as well as how
to be accountable and responsible in dealing with one another (Luke 12:48),
since “to whom much is given much is also expected.” He called for repentance
(Luke 13). He healed the sick (Luke 14). In the parable of the lost sheep, coin
and son he taught them how to reach out for one another (Luke 15), especially
the poor (Luke 16). He warned against giving into temptation (Luke 17) and
reiterates in the parable of the persistent widow of today’s Gospel, the power
of persistence in prayer without weariness.
This power of prayer told in the passage of the Scripture be
it in the first reading or in the Gospel parable of today, are all God’s words that
endure forever. It does not wear out. It does not fade. It does not disappoint. We can always learn from that out-stretched hands of Moses; that symbolism of prayer. We can always learn from the supporting roles of Aaron and Hur. We can always learn from Christ's parables and teachings. We can always learn from the persistence of that Widow. Those faith stories told in the scriptures live on.
This is what Saint Paul reminds us of in the Second Reading
(2 Tim 3:14–4:2), “all scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching,
for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one
who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (cf. 1 Pet
1:25; 2 Pet 1:19-21; Isa 40:8 and Verbum
Domini, n.1). Paul charges us to be persistent in proclaiming and leaving this word in
good times in bad times. But importantly, with patience, knowing that if that
unjust judge could listen to the persistent widow, our God who is just and
righteous, certainly, would listen to each and every one us “day and night” (
Luke 18:7).
In every situation of our lives (illness, family crisis,
frustration, betrayal, loss of jobs, poverty and even in successes etc) we want to be aware of
this. We want to be there for one another, your next door neighbor, your community member. Above all, we want to always, remember PPP- Persistence in Prayer and Preaching the
Word of God- and return to God in our needs and thanksgiving, knowing
fully well that, all our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth ( Ps
121:1-8)
