29th Sunday 2016

Exodus 17:8-13
2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Luke 18:1-8

All of these readings relate to the importance of perseverance. In the first reading, Moses and the Amaleks are at battle. The Amaleks are bitter enemies to the Israelites because they attempted to keep the people from their God-given heritage (2). It is possible that this story is told out of its historical context, however, it is placed among the desert tests to highlight Moses as a hero (1). Moses is steadfast, holding the staff aloft for a long time, but needs help to persist: just as the Israelites needed the help of prophets throughout the ages to persist.

The portion of the Letter to Timothy before us extols the importance of knowing and following scripture. Paul exhorts Timothy to remain steadfast to the teachings and writings of his faith tradition; proclaiming scriptures will help convince, reprimand, encourage others. Paul also links teaching with patience.

Jesus’ parable about the nagging widow also relates to the role of perseverance in prayer and following our faith traditions. “Verse 8 makes clear that continual prayer is not meant. Fidelity to the God of Jesus must be the engine of prayer (2).” At first blush, Jesus seems to encourage His followers to persist in asking the Lord for what they want. With a closer look, however, the widow is not asking that her needs be met, but for justice be done; this is a nuance, because her needs will be met if justice is done. Contextualizing the meeting of others’ needs in reference to justice implies a) people have the responsibility to each other to help and meet the needs of others, b) individuals with the means to help others will be held accountable, and c) those in need, as well as God, should hold those of means responsible for good stewardship.

Jesus’ continues to speak after the parable. It is suggested that verse 7B could be a reference to the second coming of Jesus (3), and that He questions His disciples at a few levels. “Will you remain steadfast and faithful as we arrive in Jerusalem and to the end of my ministry on earth? Will you persist in meting out justice as you wait for my Second Coming?” In addition, He asks us, “Will you remain faithful to new teaching, new scripture which is based on my preaching, life, Passion? Will you persist in prayer and righteous living as you wait for my Second Coming?”

Journal Questions:

Recount a situation in which you had to preserve in faith despite other’s opposition.
Explore your relationship to scripture. Do you have a different attitude towards the Old and New Testaments? Do you think it’s relevant to your daily life? Would you like to make any changes?
How does your understanding of the Second Coming effect your daily life and the decisions you make?

References:
1-The Collegeville Bible Commentary, Old Testament. The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., Collegeville, Minnesota, 1992.
2- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990.
3- Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible. Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1971.

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