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by Mary M. McGlone
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"Our help is in the name of the Lord!" That's today's psalm response. Do we mean it? If so, what do we mean by it?
The framers of our Lectionary paired today's selection from Exodus with Jesus' parable of the widow and the unjust judge. As always, the Hebrew Scripture selected to accompany the Gospel functions like an editorial comment. In the Exodus story, Moses' people succeeded in battle while they could see Moses holding up the staff of God, whether by his own strength or with a little help from his friends.
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 16, 2022
Exodus 17:8-13
Psalm 121
2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Luke 18:1-8
That was a pretty marvelous staff! God first got Moses' undivided attention by turning it into a snake and then back into a staff. After that, Moses repeated the snake performance for the Israelites. He also used the staff to part the Red Sea and to get water from a rock. Some people would call it Moses' magic wand. Jewish scholarship explains that it was a tool in the hands of God. Catholics might call it sacramental — an effective sign of God's power working through Moses for the people. The gist of today's story is that as long as Moses held it up, God's people won the battle.
In liturgical dialogue with this incident, we hear Jesus' parable of the widow and the narcissistic judge. A superficial interpretation of the story paints God as rather negligent, suggesting that if we try hard enough, we can get God's attention and justice. Is the implication that we care more about the problems of the world than God does? Do we have to awaken God to the needs of the chosen who call out day and night?
Luke introduced this parable saying, "Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity to pray always without becoming weary." To put this in a larger context, let's ask, "What do we know of Jesus' way of praying?"
In the Gospel of Luke, we hear that prayer provided the context for two of Jesus' extraordinary encounters with God: one at his baptism and the other at the transfiguration. In both of these, God affirmed Jesus' identity as the Son. We also hear that Jesus would go off to pray alone, especially for his 40-day desert sojourn and before he chose the 12 disciples. The disciples knew that Jesus prayed and finally asked him to teach them his way, which he did with the Lord's Prayer. We get to listen in as Jesus prayed when he thanked God for giving the lowly special revelations and in the Garden of Gethsemane when he summed up his life of prayer saying, "Not my will, but yours be done."
None of these references even hint that Jesus badgered God. Rather than express his own wants or needs, Jesus' prayer revealed his filial relationship to God, a relationship characterized by obedience. How does this relate to the widow who pestered the judge?
This parable fits the classic pattern of turning things upside down. In real life, the widow is the defenseless and the judge powerful. But in the light of Jesus' Beatitudes, the widow is a blessed one and the judge the object of woe. As a blessed one, the widow fulfills a dual evangelizing role. First of all, from the most powerless position in society, she publicly proclaims her human dignity by demanding her rights — rights that belong not just to her, but to all the lowly who receive special attention from the God of Israel. Secondly, because Exodus 22 warns of dire consequences to anyone who wrongs a widow or orphan, the beggar woman is actually offering the judge a chance at redemption for the miniscule price of granting her justice against her adversary.
In Jesus' society, as in our own, people in respectable positions, particularly religious leaders, are supposed to model God's justice. Yet here, the widow carries out Jesus' evangelizing and saving work. She does it by demanding the justice that will bring salvation not just to her, but also to someone with unused power to bring about God's reign. She is calling for help in the name of the Lord.
In the end, it seems that the perseverance Jesus calls for has nothing to do with badgering God, reciting hundreds of rosaries or doubling down on novenas. The widow shows us that calling out for God's help is supposed to lead us to be unflagging in pursuit of the reign of God. Moses' outstretched staff was not magical, but a reminder that God was with the people. Jesus' prayer expressed and solidified his relationship with his Father. Our prayer makes sense when it deepens our awareness of our vocation as God's own and disciples of Jesus. Our help is in the name of the Lord, our prayer enables us to carry out God's will.
[St. Joseph Sr. Mary M. McGlone serves on the congregational leadership team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.]
FAQs
For this Sunday we are looking at not a parable of Jesus, but a riddle of Jesus. You could call this the riddle of Caesar and the coin. It's the famous story of the coin that Jesus is presented with, and he is asked whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not, and then gives his response.
What is the reflection of the Sunday gospel October 16 2022? ›
In this Sunday's Scriptures, we are reminded that we can always reach God through prayer. God is ready to listen to us, but we must not give up before God has a chance to answer us. We are challenged not to give up when making a request to God.
What does 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time mean? ›
Coexistence of Good and Evil: In the gospel for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Jesus presents the reality that in this world, both the children of the kingdom (believers) and the children of the evil one (unbelievers) will coexist until the final judgment, highlighting the presence of evil and the challenges ...
What is the Catholic reading for 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time? ›
Read aloud the shorter form of today's Gospel, Matthew 13:24–30. Say: The man chose not to pull the weeds out of the field because it would harm the wheat. He said to wait until it is time for the harvest to separate the wheat from the weeds.
What is the opening prayer for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time? ›
PRIEST: Faithful and merciful God, you have made us your daughters and sons in Christ. Open our hearts that we may hear more clearly your message of love and live more closely in accordance with your will. We ask this in his name, Christ our Lord. Amen.
What is the final Sunday in Ordinary Time? ›
The last Sunday of Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of Christ the King.
What is the reflection Gospel for october 9 2022? ›
Today's Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
Because of the one leper's faith and gratitude, Jesus tells him that he is saved. We are reminded to continually return or “turn back” to Jesus and to thank Him for the many blessings and favors He grants to us each day.
What is the Gospel reflection for october 15 2022? ›
Today's Gospel: Luke 12:8-12
At this point in Jesus' ministry, He has shown His command over creation by calming the stormy seas, liberating demoniacs, healing those who dare to reach out and touch Him, and raising the dead to life. At the same time, He is revealing Himself to us.
What is the October 30 2022 Sunday Gospel reflection? ›
Jesus is not ashamed to dine with us. All of us, saints, sinners, greatest, and least have the opportunity of serving the Lord as we risk seeking him out. Humility is essential. We can all change.
Why is it called Ordinary Time in the church? ›
It begins on the Monday after Pentecost and ends before evening prayer of the First Sunday of Advent. Ordinary Time is called “ordinary” not because it is not special or less significant but simply because the weeks of Ordinary Time are numbered.
Lord in your mercy
PRIEST: Lord, with Abraham and Sarah we open wide our hearts to serve you; with Mary of Bethany we open wide our ears to hear your word; with Martha we open wide our hands to do your work. May our prayers today centre our lives on your Son, Jesus Christ, who is Lord for ever and ever.
How long is Ordinary Time in the church? ›
Ordinary Time is the longest season in the Church's year. Comprising thirty-three weeks, it is divided into two sections; one short and the other very long.
What is the reading for the 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time? ›
Readings. Deut 11:18,26-28,32. “Put these words of mine in your heart and soul.” If God's people observe the commandments their obedience will bring a blessing; if not, their rebellion will bring a curse. Rom 3:21-25, 28.
What Gospel is read during Ordinary Time? ›
The Gospel readings on weekdays are the same in both cycles; it is the first reading that changes. As a result, Mark's Gospel is always read on weekdays at the beginning of Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time is that part of the year that is not Advent, Lent or the Christmas and Easter seasons.
What is Ordinary Time in the Catholic Church today? ›
Ordinary Time is the season of the Church year when Catholics are encour- aged to grow and mature in daily expression of their faith outside the great sea- sons of celebration of Christmas and Easter and the great periods of penance of Advent and Lent.
What date is 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time? ›
Dates for Sundays
| Date | Celebration |
|---|
| 16 October - 22 October | 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time |
| 23 October - 29 October | 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time |
| 30 October - 5 November | 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time |
| 1 November | All Saints |
75 more rowsThemes for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
And in the gospel, Jesus explains that we must give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. Trap for Jesus: The Pharisees and Herodians attempt to entrap Jesus with a question about taxes.
What Psalm is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time? ›
Give the Lord glory and honor.
Worship the LORD, in holy attire; tremble before him, all the earth; say among the nations: The LORD is king, he governs the peoples with equity.
What is the theme of the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time? ›
Themes for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
The psalm is a plea for mercy. In the second reading Paul speaks of God's mercy for him, for he once persecuted Christians. In the gospel Jesus tells the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son (or the Prodigal Son or the Forgiving Father).
