by Father James Rodriguez
“Why do I need the Church if I can speak to God directly?” Chances are, you’ve heard this question from a curious or even cynical family member or friend.
You might have even asked it yourself. In today’s readings, we learn a great deal about the importance of community to sustain us in our spiritual battles.
The prayerful support of the mystical body of Christ is of vital importance, since we, though individuals, never approach God alone.
We are part of something much bigger, and though we might like the idea of being independent in our relationship with God, nothing could be more damaging to it.
Our first reading drives the point home in dramatic fashion. The Israelite forces are in a battle for their very existence, and instead of wielding a sword, Moses supports them in prayer. Indeed, this prayer proves to be the deciding factor, since once he grows tired and wavers, the battle begins to turn against them.
Apart from being a fascinating historical moment, this story has much to teach us about ourselves. So often, battles rage within us.
Temptations can rise up like storms on an otherwise clear day, threatening our peace.
As long as we fix our minds on God, firmly and trustingly, we navigate the rough waters safely.
However, we sometimes waver, and like St. Peter sinking or Moses with trembling arms, we need help. There is no shame in seeking it, and in fact, it makes all the difference.
As we continue to listen to the letter to Timothy, we are encouraged, along with him, to heed St. Paul’s fatherly advice to “remain faithful to what you have learned and believed.” How often do we need to hear this kind of encouragement!
In a world where we’re constantly being told to seek pleasure and fulfillment in material things, St. Paul offers “training in righteousness,” holding up sacred Scripture as our nourishment before the battles of everyday life.
Joined by believers around the world, we consume the Word, spoken and incarnate, and form an army unlike any military force in history. Nothing can stop us except ourselves.
Our Gospel today ends with a haunting question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” We want to shout, “Yes, Lord! Of course!”
If we’re being honest, though, we know how often we are guilty of despair, selfishness, and thinking we can’t trust God to accomplish what we want, when maybe what he wants more than anything is exactly that trust.
The persistent widow is a model for us to trust and pray without growing weary, but she also stands as an image of God who tirelessly calls us to repentance, to give up on the idea that we don’t need him, because deep down we know that we do.
On this Lord’s day, may you and I find the courage to surrender more deeply to the One who came seeking faith on the earth.
May he find it in us.
Father James Rodriguez is pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Rockaway Beach.