29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
Today’s readings speak powerfully to us about perseverance, especially in prayer, in faith, and in our mission as disciples. In a world that often demands instant results and quick fixes, the Word of God invites us to a deeper, and a more enduring trust in the Lord.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow who keeps coming to the unjust judge, pleading for justice. Though the judge neither fears God nor respects people, he eventually gives in, not because he is righteous, but because the widow refuses not to give up. Jesus uses this image to teach us about the power of persistent prayer. “Will not God grant justice to His chosen ones who cry to Him day and night?” The answer is clear: Yes, God hears us. But yet, Jesus adds a sad and tender question, asking whether: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on earth?”
This question shifts the focus from God’s faithfulness to our own faith. Will we remain faithful? Will we keep praying, even when answers to our prayers seem delayed? Will we trust in God’s justice, even when the world seems unjust?
In our First Reading from Exodus, it gives us a vivid image of perseverance in action. As Israel battles Amalek, Moses stands on the hill with the staff of God raised in his hands. As long as his hands are raised up, Israel prevails. But when he grows tired, the tide turns. So Aaron and Hur support his arms, helping him to remain steadfast.
This is a beautiful image of intercessory prayer and community support. We are not called to persevere alone. We need one another, to lift up each other, to hold each other in prayer, and to stand together in faith.
The Second Reading, from St Paul’s letter to Timothy, reinforces this call to perseverance. St Paul urges Timothy to remain faithful to the Scriptures, which are “inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” He exhorts him to “proclaim the word, in season and out of season.” This is the mission of every Christian: to be rooted in the Word, to live it boldly, and to share it patiently, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.
So what does this mean for us today?
First, it means we must be a people of prayer. Not just occasional prayer, but persistent, daily prayer, the kind that shapes our hearts and opens us to God’s will.
Prayer is not about changing God’s mind; it’s about aligning our hearts with His. Like the widow, we must keep coming to the Lord, trusting that He hears us and will act in His time.
Second, we must be people of faith. Faith is not just belief, it is trust, even when we don’t see results. It is the conviction that God is good, that He is working, and that His justice will prevail.
In times of trial, when we feel weary like Moses, we must allow others to support us, and be willing to support them in turn.
Third, we must be people of the Word. Scripture is our foundation. It teaches us who God is, how He acts, and how we are to live. In a culture that often distorts the truth, we must be rooted in the truth of the Gospel, proclaiming it with love and courage.
Finally, we are reminded that God is not like the unjust judge. He is our loving Father, who knows our needs and desires justice for His children. However, He also desires our hearts: Hearts that trust Him, hearts that persevere, and hearts that will remain faithful.
So let us take courage from today’s readings. Let us be persistent in prayer, steadfast in faith, and bold in proclaiming the Word of God. And when the Son of Man comes, may He find in us, a faith that endures forever.
Rev. Fr Philip Wrigley's Blog 