Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr C 2025

Title

Pray and Preach

Outline

We could call our texts today “pray and preach”

Now this does not sound strange to the Order of Preachers, although it is possible to forget how important our prayer is to our preaching or teaching. And it does not sound strange to me because God first called me (at age 16) to teach Scripture and then later (when I had more maturity) to pray.

But look at how this works out in our texts

Joshua is obedient in engaging Amalek but needs Moses praying

Joshua is aware Moses plans to be on top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand, but as he fights is not aware of the drama taking place. This was no relatively instant victory like the Red Sea or water from the rock. The staff was not a magic wand. But as long as Moses keeps his hands in what we call the orans position Israel wins however the battle takes until sunset to win and Moses is not given supernatural strength to endure, so Aaron and Hur hold up his hands while he sits on a rock. Those engaged in hands on ministry need the ongoing prayers of their leaders, while leaders cannot accomplish much without those engaged in the battle. I need the prayers of my bishop and the pope and they must not let administration or other duties keep them from it nor should I cease to be thankful for their largely hidden prayers.

Timothy grew up with the scriptures

This was from infancy as my education in scriptures started at age one and continued around the dinner table, which for me was more important than church. Some of you are engaged in this process with your students. And remember that as with Timothy and me the familial or early interpretation of Scripture often needs to be corrected and completed so that one gains “wisdom for salvation.” I would indeed shift from dispensational interpretation to a broader scholarly evangelical understanding to the fullness of truth in the Catholic Church that I am still growing in. But with learning comes responsibility to “proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.” But do it wisely, gently, and patiently trusting in God and not you might with the sword of truth.

Finally our Gospel tells us to be in it for the long-term

Our parable is one of the least favorite of Jesus’ parables, in part because he uses an unjust judge. But it is a qol we homer or a fortiori argument. If even an unjust judge will finally do justice because of a widow’s persistent request HOW MUCH MORE will God “secure the rights of his chosen ones” who engage in persistent prayer. He will do it speedily, but remember he exists in the eternal now, so it may seem long to us. It will be at the time that love indicates to be ideal. And that is worth waiting for. Yet it is hard to see so, “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” He will find many have given up trust in him for he took too long in their time, but he will find some who trust in the unseen real and keep on praying knowing that God answer has already been spoken in his eternal now.

So Sisters, you and I need to think on these things

Do not neglect the battle until God says it is finished, but do not neglect getting prayer support nor neglect your own prayers - who are those who will hold up your hands when you are tired?

And may God bless you and bless me as we live this out.