The efficacy of Prayer (HOMILY FOR THE 29TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C October 2022
Homily for the 29th Sunday in the Ordinary Time, Year C Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14--4:2; Luke 18:1-8. Theme: The efficacy of Prayer Prayer is the lift up of our hearts and minds to God. The readings of today help us to assess comprehensively the relevance of prayer in our lives as Christians. The first reading and the Gospel illustrates to us examples of persons who pray. On the one hand is one who prays without tiring and on the other hand is one who prays with determination. Common to both is the achievement of the their objectives. The First Reading presents us with the scene of the people of Israel in battle with the Amalekites at Rephidim. Moses decided to pray to God on a hilltop while Joshua and his forces take on the enemy assault. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when his arms fail, the advantage went to Amakek. To keep Moses praying, Aaron and Hur supported his arms, one on each side. They were thus able to keep Moses praying until sun...