" When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? "

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

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.

 

Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Our help is from the Lord, who makes heaven and earth.

 

   ＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:2

 As for you, continue with what you have learned and what has been entrusted to you, knowing from whom you received it.   Besides, you have known the Scriptures from child­hood; they will give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, refuting error, for correcting and training in Christian life.  Through Scripture the man of God is made expert and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 In the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by the hope I have of his coming and his kingdom, I urge you  to preach the Word, in season and out of season, reproving, rebuking or advising, always with patience and providing instruction.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊   

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 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 explained, “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. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

 

Gospel Reflection：

Perseverance in Prayer

Read: Moses intercedes with raised hands while Joshua fights the enemies. Paul reminds Timothy of the need to study the Scriptures and preach the Gospel in season and out of season. Through the parable of the widow and the judge, Jesus teaches the need for perseverance in prayer.

Reflect: Two things that get waylaid when we busy ourselves with the daily chores of life are reading the Scriptures and praying. The immediate demands of life are so great that spending time to read the Bible and pray individually or collectively seem like luxury.

I once observed a phenomenon in a theology study house: on the days the students had examination, the morning prayer and meditation became “private” and the Mass was postponed to evening - to help students with their immediate preparation for exam.

I wonder if it didn’t communicate a message to the students – the future priests – that prayers were secondary and cancellable to suit one’s convenience? And, that is what they would grow up to do as well! When prayer becomes marginal and sporadic, so does the grace of God in our lives as well.

Pray: Lord, give me the grace of perseverance in daily prayer.”

Act: Spend an hour in personal prayer today.