DAILY- HOMILY

October 20, 2013

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

Ex 17:8-13 / Ps 121: 1-2. 3-4. 5-6. 7-8 / 2 Tim 3:14-4:2 / Lk 18:1-8

Exodus 17:8-13

When the Israelites were at Rephidim, the Amalekites came and attacked them. So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites in the morning. As for me, I will stand with God's staff in my hand at the top of the hill." Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had directed, while Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. It happened that when Moses raised his hands, the Israelites would win but when he lowered them, the Amalekites would have the advantage. As Moses' arms grew weary they placed a stone for him to sit on while Aaron and Hur on either side held up his arms which remained steadily raised until sunset. For his part Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the sword.

2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

I give you these instructions, although I hope I will see you soon. If I delay, you will know how you ought to conduct yourself in the household of God, that is, the Church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. How great indeed is the mystery of divine blessing! He was shown in the flesh and sanctified by the Spirit; presented to the angels and proclaimed to all nations. The world believed in him: He was taken up in glory! The Spirit tells us clearly that in the last days some will defect from the faith and follow deceitful spirits and devilish doctrines, led by lying hypocrites whose conscience has been branded with the stamp of infamy.

Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told them a parable, to show them that they should pray continually, and not lose heart. He said, "In a certain town there was a judge, who neither feared God nor people. In the same town there was a widow, who kept coming to him, saying, 'Defend my rights against my opponent!' For a Time he refused, but finally he thought, 'Even though I neither fear God nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much, I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out." And Jesus said, "Listen to what the evil judge says. Will God not do justice for his chosen ones, who cry to him day and night, even if he delays in answering them? I tell you, he will speedily do them justice. But, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

REFLECTION

Whenever we pray, we want our prayers to be answered right away. We cannot wait. We are like people who are always in a hurry. We want instant results. Maybe because of the new technology, we want to do things fast. We used to mail letters to communicate with people which took days to be received by the addressee. But nowadays we have the computer, and email is instant and takes only a few minutes to be read by the other party. It is even much faster if we can chat online or use the phone. These are the wonders of the new technology. So we want instant answers from God. And if we don't get the answer we want, we question God for not listening to us. Because of this, we become lukewarm. In some cases we even stop praying.

In the gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a corrupt judge and a widow. The widow keeps coming to the judge to settle her claims against the opponent. The judge relents because she is wearing him out and she might harm him. The widow is very sincere in what she is doing but the judge relents not because she has won the case but because he is afraid of her. Is this the way we make our decisions in life? The widow is fighting for her rights and the judge wants to preserve his life. This is unjust. Like what the widow did, if there is a just cause for which to move heaven and earth, we should do so. Be persistent, and God will listen to us. The Lord is just and He knows when to give what we are asking for. God is not deaf. He listens to us. God will answer our prayers in His time and in His way. Just be patient and persistent.

In the first reading from the Book of Exodus, Amalek wages war against Israel. Moses asks Joshua to call certain men and engage Amalek in battle. So long as Moses stands on the hill and raises his arms with the staff of God in his hand, Israel wins the fight, but when he rests his arms, Amalek wins the fight. When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur supported them, so his arms remained steady until sunset. Thus Amalek was defeated. We know that when one is determined to accomplish something, it will be done.

In the second reading Paul wrote Timothy how he was successful in teaching. He was faithful, patient, loving and enduring through persecution and sufferings. Paul and Moses showed the same determination and persistence as the widow in the gospel passage. Their prayers were answered.

Today the readings showed us lessons in determination and persistence. We need to pray always because this is the only way we can tell God what we need. Praying is not an easy task. We need to be connected with Jesus. Why is it that sometimes we get frustrated when we pray? One reason probably is because we do not know how to pray. When the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray," Jesus said, "When you pray, say: Our Father, Who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name…"

Prayer Requests

We pray …

… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.

… for the speedy recovery and healing of

Brenda D. Solis, Sister Carmencita and Ibarra Cruz

Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres

Cecille Tagle

Joy Droke

… May the Lord keep us safe during natural disasters and calamities

… for the eternal repose of the souls of Niña L. Nava. Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.

… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.

Birthday: Leah Angeles

Birthday: Jeff Lawrence SyBuenasenso

Birthday: Beatriz Magalona

… for families who are in need of healing

… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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