Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Today’s readings highlight the need to be persistent in prayer.
In the reading from the Book of Exodus, Moses is praying on the mountain for his troops who are doing battle with the enemy below in the valley. Every time he lifts his hands in prayer, his troops get the upper hand. Every time he gets tired and lets his hands fall to his side — as he stops praying for them — the battle goes the wrong way.
Sometimes we need people to support us in prayer. We need people to urge us on. We need people who will tell us, “Don’t give up just yet.” That is where Aaron and Hur came in to help Moses. They had him sit down on a rock and they stood at either side of him. Then they lifted up the hands of Moses to help him continue in his prayers for the troops. Eventually the prayer of Moses, with his hands lifted up, was heard and the Israelites defeated their enemies. Thank God for good friends who constantly support us in prayer!
Jesus gives a similar lesson on persistence in prayer. He told the parable of a widow who came to a judge looking for justice. The judge, not a good man, refused to hear her case. However, the widow would not give up. She kept after him. Eventually, the judge gave in and decided in her favor.
Jesus says that if an unjust judge eventually answered this poor woman because of her stick-to-it attitude, how much more will God — who is just — answer us.
Of course, to be persistent in prayer for ourselves and for others takes faith. The question of Jesus in today’s Gospel will need to be answered by each of us as individuals and as a society some day: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” May he find us praying when he returns for us.
So, never give up on your prayers. In fact, “pray without ceasing,” as St. Paul urges us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. That means that we are aware that we carry God with us constantly, always walking in the presence of God, whose love never ends.
Have a blessed week everyone.