Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, C

            Exodus 17:8-13

            Ps. 121

            II Timothy 3:14-4:2

            Luke 18: 1-8

The connection between the readings today is intercession with the Lord, “praying always and never losing heart.”  In the First Reading, the army of Israel fought against the army of Amalek.  As long as Moses was able to keep his arms raised (in what the Fathers of the Church interpreted as a type of the Cross—c.f. the Byzantine hymnody for the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Sept. 14), the army of Israel was victorious.  The Responsorial Psalm affirms the Lord’s care:  “Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”  The Gospel presents the parable of the unjust judge and the importunate widow.  Jesus sums it up by saying, “Will not God then do justice to His chosen, who call out to Him day and night?”  No matter what tribulation the Church faces, the Scriptures affirm that God will not abandon her.

“Moses prefigured the power of Your precious Cross, O Christ, when He conquered Amalek, his enemy in the wilderness of Sinai.  When he stretched out his arms in the form of a cross, the people were strengthened.  Now these images are fulfilled in us….therefore, rejoicing, we bow down before You and say:  How marvelous are Your works, O Lord;  glory to You!” Doxastikon on Ps. 140, Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross

The Second Reading continues our hearing of Second Timothy.  We need to hear this reading as addressed to the church on two different levels:  to the ordained ministry, and to the entire church as well.  Both are urged to remain faithful to the Scriptures “you have known from infancy” (though it ought to be remembered that, in the context of Paul’s talking to Timothy, this would be the Hebrew Bible, not the Christian scriptures).  These Scriptures are the basis for “reproof, correction, and training in holiness.”  The love and the learning of the Scripture cannot be the province of the priest alone—in fact, the priest must lead the people into this from his own personal learning and experience.

This hymn is based on today’s Scriptures:

Confronted with destruction sure

In conflict dire with Amalek

God's servant Moses climbed the hill

There to survey his people's trek;

And interceding without cease,

He pleaded with his people's God.

The battle turned as sun went down,

The foemen beat into the sod.

Like unto this, a widow came

And justice sought from wicked judge

Who neither God nor neighbor feared;

With ev'ry day, the little drudge

From woman's brave and ceaseless chore

Of pleading, begging, wore him down.

To her was given justice due,

Although he did it with a frown.

Though time and circumstance combine,

Increasing each oppressive weight,

Our recompense from God will come

With justice sure and not be late.

Be faithful, then, to what you've learned

By means of Scripture's witness strong;

Preach now the Word--day in, day out--

"The Lord will come" must be our song.

            88.88. D

            no suggested tune