A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy
BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (Series 8, n. 47)
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – October 17, 2010 *
“Faithful to the Word and Prayer”
BIBLE READINGS
Ex 17:8-13 // II Tm 3:14-4:2 // Lk 18:1-8
(N.B. Series 8 of BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD: A LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY LITURGY includes a prayerful study of the Sunday liturgy of Year C from the perspective of the Second Reading. For reflections on the Sunday liturgy of Year C based on the Gospel reading, please scroll up to the “ARCHIVES” above and open Series 2. For reflections based on the Old Testament reading, open Series 5.)
I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS
The worshipping community that continues to pilgrimage Sunday after Sunday into the heart of God reflects today on the Christian vocation to be faithful to the Word of God and prayer. Persevering prayer manifests the saving power of God in whom we trust.
In the Old Testament reading (Ex 17:8-13), the iconic prayer gesture of Moses on top of the hill – arms extended and staff outstretched – symbolizes God’s protective presence among his people. Moreover, his intense prayer posture expresses persevering trust in the Lord’s saving help.
The biblical scholar Eugene Maly comments: “In the Exodus story we learn of a battle between Israel, who had just escaped from Egypt, and the Amalekites, a nomadic tribe that dwelt in the southern part of Palestine. As long as Moses, who is on a hilltop, holds his hands in the air, the battle goes in Israel’s favor; when he drops them, Amalek has the better of the fight. Finally, Aaron and Hur come to Moses’ aid and support his hands until the victory is won. Early Jewish and Christian scholars saw in the story a lesson on the power of persistent prayer … Persistence in a religious action, if motivated by faith, will find a favorable response. The Lord who grants victory is always there.”
The Gospel reading (Lk 18:1-8) gives insight on what motivates persevering prayer: the conviction that “God secures the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him”. The assurance of God’s fidelity gives strength to our prayer and his benevolence animates a more profound prayer. Indeed, God’s saving arm is always there for us. Our faith, not God, needs the testing.
Aelred Rosser remarks: “Only faith enables the persistent widow to persevere until justice is done her. Only faith is able to persevere when the answer to our prayers seems long in coming. Faith knows that God will answer prayer, and gives us the strength and patience to persevere.”
This Sunday’s Second Reading (II Tm 3:14-4:2) is about fidelity to the Word of God. The Christian disciple needs to listen, study and be nourished by the saving Word contained in the Scriptures in order to proclaim it faithfully. By imbibing the life-giving message of the Scriptures, those who truly belong to God become competent and equipped for every good work, especially the task of proclaiming the Word. As in prayer, one must be persistent in sharing the inspired Word of the Scriptures. The divine Word must be proclaimed perseveringly whether convenient or inconvenient. The follower of Christ is faithful to the Word and prayer.
The authors of the Days of the Lord, vol. 6, explicate: “The epistle read today is from the Second Letter to Timothy, a short passage that proclaims vigorously and precisely a teaching and practice of utmost importance. To proclaim the Word is certainly what is most essential in the apostolic mission. The author of this letter is not merely content to recall this; he gives Timothy certain instructions that have not and will never lose their pertinence (4:1-2). But this announcement rests on fidelity to the Word of God transmitted by Scripture and received in the Church (3:14-17). And this is of no less permanent significance. The apostle is not a schoolmaster, but a servant: he receives what he must in turn pass on faithfully … Finally – an interesting point after having read the text of Exodus 17:8-13 – Scripture inspired by God is the weapon which allows one to prevail in the fight of faith, the Christian life and apostolate. Empowered by the strength of the Word of God, Timothy - and every believer – not only can but must proclaim the Word … He is strong because he is well-armed, thanks to the Scripture inspired by God.”
A characteristic dimension of Christian prayer and service to the Word is loving concern for others. The following story illustrates the power of prayer – of a trusting, persevering and heartfelt prayer on behalf of others (cf. Arthur Callaway, “Up in the Air” in GUIDEPOSTS, July 2010, p. 65).
Everything on this flight was going wrong. First, I was stuck in a window seat. And I never sit in a window seat. My bad knee cramps if I can’t stretch it into the aisle. The battery in my iPod was shot. I’d finished my book, and now my computer screen had died, so I couldn’t even catch up on work. I travel a lot for business, and plane rides were certainly nothing new. But a flight with nothing to distract me? This is sure going to be two long hours, I thought.
I laid my head back. Maybe I could get some sleep. But as soon as I closed my eyes, problems filled my mind, like the drought we were having back home in Texas. It had been over a month since we’d seen rain. My yard, my plants – everything was dying. Farmers and ranchers were suffering.
I opened my eyes and turned my head to look out the window. We were flying due south of Phoenix. The land far below was a patchwork of tan and brown. Then came a soft prompting: Why don’t you pray for those people down there? They need rain too.
I certainly had the time up here. Lord, it’s been a hot dry summer. There’s a lot of folks who need rain … I began. The plane flew on, and the scenery changed to the mountains, then cities and freeways. Sometimes all I could see were layers of clouds. But I never ran out of things to pray for: mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, the earth …
When I finally felt the soft thud of the landing gear against the runway, I could hardly believe so much time had passed. In fact, I had never felt so good at the end of a flight. I was energized. Hopeful. Ready to face whatever might come my way. It wasn’t until I exited the baggage claim and headed out to the parking lot with my gear that I realized something extraordinary – it was raining.
II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
What does it mean for me personally to lift up my hands, like Moses, in prayer?
As Christian disciples, do we feel the necessity to pray always without becoming weary?
Are we faithful to the Word contained in the Scriptures and persevering in proclaiming its life-giving message whether convenient or inconvenient? Do we see the connection between prayer and the proclamation of the Word?
III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD
Leader: O loving Father,
you are loving and compassionate.
You care for us and listen to our prayers.
Grant that we may experience deeply your goodness
so that our prayers may be strengthened
by the truth of your saving Word.
Teach us to embrace the concerns of others
and those of the suffering world
so that we can pray for them with trusting hearts.
Help us to be faithful to your Word
and persevering in prayer.
We love you, almighty Father.
We give you thanks and glorify you,
now and forever.
Assembly: Amen.
IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD
The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.
“Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient.” (cf. II Tm 4:2a)
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION
ACTION PLAN: Pray that our proclamation of the Word may be efficacious and that people may experience immensely the goodness of God who does justice to all. By acts of charity and justice that underline authentic prayer, let today’s world experience the power and beauty of Christian prayer.
ACTION PLAN: That we may experience more intensely the meaning and implications of Christian prayer; make an effort to spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration. Visit the PDDM WEB site (www.pddm.us) for the EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR: A Weekly Pastoral Tool (Year C, vol. 6, # 47).
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US