29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

God's word today is about prayer. What is prayer, but an inward desire to praise God, to give thanks to God. Move by the Holy Spirit, we praise God, at Mass, in times when we gather in front of the Blessed Sacrament. We give thanks that we are created, and we are loved, and forgiven.

Recently, I came across an insight about the word Alleluia. That word is from the Hebrew Language, from two words Hallel, and Ya . Hallel means a song of praise to God. Ya is short for Yahweh which is God. The word Alleluia means to Praise God. The Bible was originally written in two languages. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, and the New Testament was written in Greek. It's a blessing that the Word of God was translated into the English language so that we understand. But the word Alleluia, is not translated, but kept in the original Hebrew. The bible translators felt that it would lose meaning and value if that word is translated and they kept the original word: Alleluia. And in the Mass, we preserve that word, as we prepare to hear the Gospel, and sing the Gospel Acclamation, Alleluia, to praise God.

First Reading:

As long as Moses is keeping his hands lifted up, the Israelite was winning the battle. When his arms got tired and is rested, the opponents were winning the battle. His brother Aaron and Hur had to assist him and lift up his arms. The raising of the hands Is an ancient gesture of prayer. God's word reminds us the importance of prayer, and like Aaron and Hur, to lift one another in prayer.

Second Reading:

Also about prayer, and seeing the value in God's word. St. Paul encourages Timothy to be faithful to the Word of God, that he learned in his youth. And Paul encourages him to persevere in proclaiming and teaching God's word at all cost.

The Gospel:

To persevere in prayer. The judge is a very tough person, but he listens to the request of the widow, because she was persistent. Similarly, in our prayer, when we ask God for help, to be persistent. Don't give up asking for the Holy Spirit to come to rest in our hearts, and also for personal requests. Sometimes our requests may go unanswered at first, but don't give up hope. Remain persistent and keep asking God for personal requests.

Helpful Insight: Thanks to Modern Technology, we have apps on our phone now that we can utilize to pray. They have the readings for the day, and also the divine office, which is morning and evening prayer, and other prayers throughout the day. The app is also wonderful because it will also report how many people are praying at the time. Sometimes there are 15-20 using the app to pray. Somewhere in the world, someone is praying. Imagine how wonderful that is. Right now, we are praying the Mass, and someone else is sleeping in the world, and we are also praying for them. When we are resting, someone else is praying for us too. Someone is lifting up their hands in prayer. And that there is never a single moment when the world is not without prayer.

God's word is about prayer, and when we pray, it's from an inward desire to praise and give thanks to Almighty God. When we pray, we are having the upper hand, but we also need to lift up others in our prayers, just as Aaron and Hur helped Moses, by assisting him with the raising his hands. When our prayers go unanswered at first, don't give up hope, but be persistent, and keep asking God, just as the widow's request to the judge. When we pray, we pray not only for ourselves, but for the entire world. There is always someone in the world, either praying at Mass, or personal devotions. There is never a moment in the entire world without prayer. When we pray, someone is sleeping and resting. When we sleep and rest, someone else is praying for us too.