Lifting up the Rod of Prayer in Battle

Reflection for the 29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

(Ex 17:8-13, 2Tim 3:14-4:3, Lk 18: 1-8)

1.0. The Battle

Prayer is battle; prayer wins the battle! This is the predominant message this Sunday. The battle between Joshua and Amalek at Rephidim was won through the uplifted hands of Moses up the hill. But to sustain his hands in prayer was tough. Aaron and Hur held his hands, one on each side, and he sat on a rock, with the rod of God lifted up in prayer. The sharp blade of Joshua moved down the Amalekites, with the strength generated from Moses’ perseverance in prayer.

2.0.  Perseverance

No one wins a war without persevering. The faith of the man of prayer rises like the courage of the soldier at war. So he perseveres in prayer as the soldier matches on though the battle rages. Such was the courage with which the poor widow approached the corrupt Judge. Hers was a tough battle!  The woman’s persistence melted the man’s high-handedness. Knowing that the Judge had solution to her problem, she surrendered all her trust—her heart—to him, and would never stop bordering him. While Moses lifted up the staff of God, and painfully sustained it till victory was won, the poor widow mystically lifted up heart to Judge, and consistently sustained it till she was vindicated.

Jesus tells us this parable today to remind us that perseverance is not optional in prayer. Unlike the unjust Judge, God is just, and answers speedily. He hears the cries of His Children, and answers at His own time, which is the right time. The grace of God does not come late! Since God is Eternity, our availability in time, and at all times, to receive the answers to our prayers gives rises to perseverance in prayer. The unfolding of time comes with distractions, weariness, discouragement, etc that automatically oppose the man of prayer, who must battle against these in order to sustain the staff of God—the heart that prays—lifted up to the heavens.

3.0.  ‘The Rod of God’

Moses sat on the rock, lifted up the rod of God high in prayer, and was supported by Aaron and Hur. Jesus is the Rock of Ages. Moses seating on rock points to how the man of prayer must have his life rooted in Christ Jesus. In other words, he must be a man of truth; a man whose life rests on righteousness. “Those who worship God must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:23). And it is only those who worship in truth that can persevere. The supporting hands of Aaron and Hur represent the support of the community, saints and angels to the man of prayer. Prayer puts us in communion with others. The prayer of the Church helps us to persevere in prayer.

Then, imagine if the rod of God were not in the uplifted arms of Moses! It would be like offering empty praises, with the heart far from God (Mt 15:8). The rod of God in the hands of Moses is like the chalice in the hands of the priest; the offering back to God what God has given! It is the lifting up of a heart formed by the word of God and filled with the Holy Spirit. The staff of God—the Cross of Christ lifted up—becomes the ultimate sign of victory. Our prayers, therefore, must be marked by this staff of God—the Cross—for us to triumph. The Victory of the Cross is the answer to our prayers.

“Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Will the hands of Moses be emptied of the rod of God as he prays! This happens when prayer is without the Cross, and so it is faithless. Thus the man of prayer must acquaint himself with the word of God. This is where he gets the orientation to step into the battle of prayer so as to win the battle of life. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness...” This is where we draw the courage to persevere in the battle of prayer, and our victory is assured. 

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church,

Abule-Oshun, Lagos.

Sunday 20^th October, 2019.