Bible Study for 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
At the outset, let me apologize for the delay…
Readings:
First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13 — Israel battles Amalek; Moses’ arms held up in prayer.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 — “Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2 — Remain faithful, proclaim the Word.
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8 — The parable of the persistent widow.
I. The Unifying Theme: Persevering Faith in Prayer and Word
These readings form a single movement: a battle, a trust, a faithful proclamation, and a persistent prayer.
In Exodus, the people of God are in conflict; Moses’ raised arms become the symbol of intercessory faith.
In the Psalm, the believer lifts his eyes in trust—help comes from the Lord.
In 2 Timothy, Paul urges perseverance in the Word and mission despite hardship.
In Luke, Jesus tells a parable to encourage continual prayer and trust that God will bring justice.
Thus the Church invites us this Sunday into faith that does not give up—faith that turns to God in battle, that trusts when help seems distant, that proclaims truth, and that prays without losing heart.
II. The First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13 — Arms Raised in Battle
Israel is attacked by Amalek at Rephidim. Moses stands on a hill, staff in hand; Joshua fights below. But the tide turns according to Moses’ posture: when his arms are raised, Israel prevails; when they drop, Amalek advances. Because his arms grow weary, Aaron and Hur support him on either side until sunset, and Israel wins.
Theological insight
The staff and raised arms symbolize prayer, intercession, trust in God’s power, not merely human strength.
The support of Aaron and Hur indicates communal faith and assistance; the battle is not fought alone.
The victory emphasizes that divine help arrives when human weakness acknowledges and relies on it.
In Catholic teaching: the spiritual life is a “battle” (CCC 2725–2729), and the faithful must rely on God’s help and the fellowship of the Church.
III. The Responsorial Psalm: “Our Help Is from the Lord”
Psalm 121 follows: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Ps 121:1-2)
Theological insight
The psalm reinforces that help is divine, not human—God is the keeper of our going out and coming in. (v.8)
It places the believer in a posture of dependence, vigilance, and trust, echoing Moses’ raised arms.
It situates faith in the context of pilgrimage: the believer journeys under God’s guardianship.
In Catholic spirituality: this psalm is often used to express trust in divine providence (CCC 424–430) and invites us to rely on God’s protective love.
IV. The Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2 — Faith and Mission
St. Paul writes to Timothy:
“Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed… All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness… I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead: preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, exhort, with all patience.”
Theological insight
Faith is anchored in the Scriptures, which equip the believer for the battle of life.
The Christian mission is persistent and urgent, not passive: proclaim the word with patience and endurance.
The judgment motif reminds us that our perseverance is ultimately for Christ’s coming and the fulfillment of God’s kingdom.
In the Catechism: “The Christian faithful are called to live and to proclaim the Gospel” (CCC 1816–1821). The Word of God is the foundation for Christian identity and mission.
V. The Gospel: Luke 18:1-8 — The Persistent Widow
Jesus tells a parable about a widow who persistently petitions an unjust judge for justice. Though the judge neither fears God nor respects persons, he grants her request because of her persistence. Jesus concludes:
“And will not God bring about justice for his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? … Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Theological insight
The widow stands for the believer who prays without giving up—even when God seems distant.
Jesus uses the unjust judge to highlight that if a corrupt human judge reluctantly gives justice, how much more will a just God respond to his elect.
The final question challenges each of us: does our faith endure until Christ returns?
In Catholic prayer life: perseverance is a virtue (CCC 2558–2568). Prayer is not mere request—it is trust, endurance, and hope in God’s timing.
VI. The Interconnection: One Narrative of Perseverance and Faith
If we tell these readings as one story:
In Exodus, God’s people are under attack, and Moses’ arms become the symbol of intercession and support.
In Psalm 121, the believer lifts his eyes and declares: “Our help is from the Lord.”
In 2 Timothy, Paul urges perseverance in the Word, equipping the faithful for continual mission.
In Luke, Jesus exhorts us to persevere in prayer and faith until the end.
Altogether they show: Faith is not a single act but a sustained posture—dependence on God, supported by community, grounded in Scripture, expressed in persistent prayer, and steadfast until the end. The Sunday’s readings teach the Church that the journey of faith is enduring, and help is always at hand.
VII. Why This Sunday in the Liturgical Year
As the liturgical year moves into the late weeks of Ordinary Time, the focus begins to shift from foundational teachings of discipleship toward the themes of endurance, fidelity, and the coming of the Lord.
The earlier weeks emphasized faith (mustard seed) and obedience (servant).
This Sunday emphasizes perseverance in prayer and mission—a necessary preparation for the final Sundays when we will reflect on judgment, Christ’s kingship, and the consummation of the Kingdom.
By placing this reading now, the Church invites the faithful to consider: Are we ready to persist? Are we prepared to hold up our arms, to rely on God, to stay faithful to the Word, and to pray without giving up until the Son of Man comes?
VIII. Take-Aways for Christian Life
Don’t rely on your strength—but on God’s strength. When your arms grow weary, seek support (Aaron and Hur) and trust the Lord.
Lift your eyes to the Lord. In moments of uncertainty, remember: “Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Remain faithful to Scripture and mission. Let the Word form you, guide you, and send you out.
Pray without losing heart. Like the widow, persist in trust even when silence seems long.
Prepare for Christ’s return. Faith that endures is the faith the Lord will find on earth.
This Sunday’s readings draw us into a thick forest of faith: a place where battles are fought, help is sought, word is proclaimed, and prayer is persistently lifted.
They remind us: the Christian journey is not sprint but a marathon of faith, sustained by God’s grace and our perseverance.
As we lift our eyes, keep our arms raised, hold fast to the Word, and persist in prayer, we join the long line of believers who await the coming of the Lord—and He will not be found wanting.