The Sustaining Pillars: Prayer, Scripture, and Perseverance

Exod 17:8-13, Psalm: 120, 2Tim 3,14—4,2, Lk 18:1-8

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In the spiritual life, we all experience moments of weariness. We grow tired in prayer, we feel the relentless pressure of the world, and we can become discouraged in our mission. Today, the Word of God presents us with three powerful images that reveal the divine sustenance offered to us in the midst of the battle. They are the sustaining pillars of a faithful life: persevering prayer, faithful Scripture, and the support of our community.

I. The Weary Arms of Intercession (Exodus 17:8-13)

We begin in the desert, where the Israelites are attacked by Amalek. Moses instructs Joshua to lead the fight while he goes to the mountaintop with the staff of God. As long as Moses keeps his arms raised in intercession, Israel prevails. But his arms grow heavy. When he lowers them, the battle turns against them. So Aaron and Hur step in. They provide a stone for him to sit on, and they hold up his hands, one on each side, until victory is won.

This is a profound lesson in communal spirituality. Moses represents the power of intercessory prayer. The staff is the symbol of God’s power and covenant faithfulness. But even the great leader Moses grows weary. He cannot persevere alone. Aaron and Hur represent the essential role of the community—the Church—in supporting us when our strength fails. They do not fight the battle for Joshua, but they make his victory possible by sustaining the one who prays. In our own lives, when we are tired and feel our prayer is weak, we must remember that we are not alone. We have the saints in heaven and the faithful on earth holding up our arms through their prayers and friendship.

II. The Enduring Truth of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:14—4:2)

From the desert, we turn to St. Paul’s final charge to his beloved disciple, Timothy. Paul, like Moses, is nearing the end of his journey. He passes the torch of leadership, and his instruction is clear: “Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed.” On what is Timothy to base his faith and ministry? On “the sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Paul declares that all Scripture is “inspired by God” – God-breathed – and is the indispensable tool for teaching, refuting error, correcting, and training in holiness.

In the spiritual battle, Scripture is our solid rock, our stone of truth. When the tides of confusion, doubt, and falsehood threaten to overwhelm us, we must cling to the enduring Word of God. It is our source of wisdom and our anchor in the truth. Paul’s charge is urgent: “Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient.” The Word we receive is not for us alone; like Moses on the mountain, we are called to be steadfast in holding it high for a world that desperately needs its light.

III. The Persistent Cry of Faith (Luke 18:1-8)

Finally, the Lord Jesus Himself gives us a parable to drive the point home. He tells of a persistent widow who badgers an unjust judge for justice until he finally grants her request, not out of virtue, but simply to be rid of her. Jesus’ point is not that God is like the unjust judge, but that if persistence can win over a corrupt man, how much more will our faithful, persistent prayer move the heart of our loving Father? “Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?”

The widow represents every believer who feels powerless and overlooked. Her weapon is not strength, but holy stubbornness. She does not give up. This parable is a direct call to “pray always without becoming weary.” It is the same perseverance Moses needed on the mountain, the same steadfastness Paul demanded of Timothy. But Jesus ends with a poignant question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” He is looking for the faith of the persistent widow—a faith that trusts so deeply in the Father’s love that it never stops calling out to Him.

The Pillars of Our Victory

These three readings are one unified message for our spiritual survival and victory. The battle is real, and we will grow weary. But God has given us everything we need.

• When our personal prayer grows weak, we have the community of faith to hold up our arms.
• When we are assailed by doubt and confusion, we have the unchanging truth of Scripture to stand upon.
• And when we are tempted to despair, we are called to the persistent, unceasing prayer of the poor widow, who knows that her only hope is in God.

Let us therefore take courage. Let us be humble enough to let others support us, diligent in reading the God-breathed Scriptures, and stubborn in our prayer. For the Lord who commanded us to persevere is the same Lord who promised, “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). In Him, our weary efforts are sustained, and our final victory is assured. Amen.