Spirituality of the Readings
The Everlasting Arms
There are two sides to Sunday’s readings. One theme is “Do not get tired when you are praying.” The other is, Of course you will, but there will be support.
Most of us have experienced drowsiness when we try to pray. Even Moses gets fatigued as he is doing the equivalent of prayer in the First Reading. He stands on the top of a hill where he can see a fight going on below, one he has ordered. To give his general, Joshua, victory over enemy forces, he holds out what our reading calls “the staff of God” over the battle. He has to continue holding it out, straight-armed, until the combat is completely done because whenever he lowers his arms the enemy starts to win. This goes on for a long time and Moses’ arms do grow exceedingly weary.
When I was an altar boy in the old rite I learned a bit about this by mindlessly holding the book out with extended arms for Father to read from. “Please, please, please read faster,” my arms petitioned. Moses did have people to support his arms, Aaron and Hur. They even found a rock for him to sit on.
The theme: go ahead and get tired, someone will help you.
But in the Gospel, in order to illustrate why we should keep praying (asking for things) and not grow tired, Jesus tells a parable about the unjust judge and a widow who does not stop asking.
The widow, with very little to lose, comes to public court every single day and demands justice from the admittedly bored judge. Much like today’s scene! After a while the judge thinks to himself, if I don’t do something this woman will humiliate me in front of everyone. I give up. I will rule in her favor.
The point we are given for this parable is: how much more God—who certainly is not bored—will make sure we have what we need, even if it is only a very basic need. The widow’s persistence is therefore an example for all of us.
Persistence.
But did Jesus have someone supporting his arms as he spread them wide upon the cross?
No?
Even though Jesus was weary unto death and was no longer able to sense any presence of God whatsoever, he still prayed without ceasing. “Father, why have you abandoned me?” is one of the most riveting prayers in history. It set the stage for Mother Teresa’s persistence and fortitude throughout a life devoid of consolation.
God’s love was strong enough to bring Jesus (and Mother Teresa) through, when every assurance had been taken away. Jesus stretched out his arms in a position that came to be the medieval position of prayer (arms lifted to God), and won a great victory, just as the Old Testament Moses and Joshua had done. He opened his arms to us so that we can fall into them when we ourselves are so very weary and discouraged.
“The eternal God is your refuge,” Moses said. “Underneath are the everlasting arms” (Dt. 33:27).
John Foley, SJ
**From Saint Louis University