Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Story

Dog begging for boiling water

Dog terrified of vet

think want dont really want, think don’t want really want

when it comes to happiness most of us are clueless

indulge in food, media, and other habits that make feel good for a bit, but never satisfy and more miserable than we were even as children.

like a good owner or good parent, God does whats best, not follow our whims

swiftly answers prayers

but bases it on what really want, not what think want

Prayer

Readings today

always pray w/o losing heart

certainly prayer far more than just petition

but here petition

First read

holds up hands in agony on hill

like cross, flanked on two sides

3 persons in one act

priest at mass holds hands liek this according to fathers

as does so Jesus (Joshua) and the ones Jesus chose defeat the enemy blocking the Jews from the promised land

Moses focuses on what is really good, rather than his feelings

bears the agony of prayer over own feelings

so long can’t do it and needs support

Second

unjust judge/ruler who didnt care about God or people

answered b/c pestered

If even he does, shouldnt we view God as obviously answering

but many pray and lose heart

doesn’t seem answered

supposed to say ‘now wait a second!’

Unanswered Prayer

pray w/ faith in God; and

other is…remember that dog?

Would it be cruel or loving for the owner of the cute little dog to give the dog the boiling water its begging for?

dont think answered b/c expect to get what think want, not what actually want

God loves you far more than any owner loves their dog

What we want is God, what we think we want is everything else

that is why the commands of faith are rules for happiness, not some imposition of a tyrant.

We are made for God, not this life

to get what you are made for is to be fulfilled, and to be fulfilled is to be happy

so if I think I want ANYTHING in this life disconnected from how it will bring me or another to God, then I can know I am wrong.

its what I think I want but not what I actually want, God will not give but another will...

although pure happiness is not possible this side of the grave we can get close

misery on the other hand...how miserable are many made in this life by following what they merely think they want

I’ve seen such wishes miserably fulfilled in others even in my short time as a Catholic

poor brothers and sisters who got to have an affair, got bloody revenge on their enemy, got to dishonestly gain riches, or in this day got to pay greedy companies to mutilate their gender.

in short I have seen people fulfill their or their loved one’s unGodly fantasies, and they were made miserable for it.

Let us not ever be so hateful and bigoted as to wish sin, even on your worst of enemies.

It is not God who is the one cruelly, like the owner giving the desperate dog boiling water, answers such prayers

[elevator] instead of asking what your itches, your stomach, your passions, your feelings, you body, and even your more selfless noble emotions want.. ask what do YOU want at your very core, ask for THAT for your neighbor as well.

As you begin to be able to reach down there,

beyond earthly delights, beyond comfort in this life, beyond each of our short lives...

then you will know what to ask for, and you will begin to see your prayers answered swiftly

When we ask God for something trust it has been answered and rejoice! If its actually what you want its now yours, and if its only what you think you want something much better will come for you or another.

Conclusion

Pray like Moses unceasing, like Christ crucified, arms outstretched, knowing you are answered swiftly by a loving Father, just not in a way you may feel is best

Notes

Me:

We ask not what is for our good, but what we want

subjective will vs what objectively we want

itches desire want, versus YOU

lifting up arms for battle rather than resting

dog begging for boiling water

anti-transitioning children?

Fathers

Gospel suggests in end, there will be little faith

Moses with hands extended prefigures Christ [Justin Martyr + Augustine; very well established]

lifting up hands in prayer signifies cross

priest during Mass signifies this [Aquinas]

Name of Jesus appears, told to choose men to fight those who stand btwn the people and the holy land [well established]

Moses, the old law, cannot enter the holy land, but only Jesus and those with him.

The Judge is God (fears no man nor God)