Sunday Homily 10-17-10, 29th Ordinary Time
Readings: Exodus 17, 8-13; Psalm 121, Our help is from the Lord, who made Heaven & Earth; 2 Timothy 3, 14-4, 2; Luke 18, 1-8
Exodus
Author: Not Moses. 3 sources identified by literary style, points of view, use of Yahweh or Elohim.
Date: the sources have different possible dates, but 700 & 800 BCE seem to have some foundation. The Egyptian period itself is thought to be ca. 1250 BCE, during the time of Rameses II.
Subject: Moses leads the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt. Remember how they got there? The story of Isaac & his 12 sons, his youngest sold to camel drivers by the brothers, etc.
Our Selection: scene, the desert; the event, the Amalekites attack the Jews. Yahweh orders Joshua to mow them down with Moses’ supporting him with arms outstretched in blessing. Not much connection with the Gospel.
Sources: New Interpreter’s Bibl;, Good News Bibl;, Wikipedia; St. Louis U. Liturgy & Reginald Fuller.
Why do You Pray?
There is a subdivision in North Dallas called Northwood Hills. You go north from LBJ up Hillcrest to Belt Line and the subdivision is on both sides of Hillcrest.
A few years before I departed the Jesuits some residents of Northwood Hills approached me about planting trees in their neighborhood. I really did not want to go north of LBJ with my 800 gallon trailer. They persisted and bit by bit, after a trip or two hosted by 2 or 3 couples, I finally agreed.
We eventually planted ca. 400 trees along Hillcrest & Belt Line, in Fretz Park, and at a couple of elementary schools. I watered those trees as often as twice a week for 2-3 years. Ride by there now and the results are beautiful. I am delighted I did it.
Does this experience of mine and the parable of the gruff judge and the widow exemplify our relationship with God? Who knows? Each of us has our relationship and our expectations of the relationship. For me, I have my doubts. Three observations, one like and two dislikes.
First, I like the lesson in asking for what we want, even from a judge at city hall. The father of my best buddy when I was a kid used to tell me, “John, you can’t fight city hall.” Maybe not, maybe so. But you can certainly ask for what you want—in this life.
Secondly, what I don’t like: the comparison of God with this grumpy judge who accedes to the widow’s request just so he won’t be bothered. I have a different, more benevolent image.
Thirdly, what I don’t like: a false expectation contained in the parable that I can wear down God by my persistence. I remember my mom’s 9 day novenas. Probably to save me from hell. Then I joined the Jesuits and left home and she probably told God that was not quite what she intended.
I find it helpful to make that infamous God distinction of mine, the macro-managing God and the micro-managing God. I don’t see God doing the latter.
If God is a micro-manager, I don’t get it at all. For every person apparently saved, how many thousands, millions have been lost, often with painful, agonizing deaths. Take for example the Holocaust. Did those people not beg Yahweh to be saved? The slaves beaten to death. Even here is Texas these days, the black men falsely accused and spending decades in prison until DNA proves their innocence. My friend Tony works with maybe a dozen of these guys at Holy Trinity.
So, why pray for people like we do? Our people. You know them.
My observation: I hope some cosmic kinetic energy flows out to make more gentle the life of the person I pray for. 2-3 praying together emanate hopefully more energy.
The Northwood Hills folks pestered me until I granted their request, a lesson for all of us in our daily lives. This may not be a model for our relationship with God.
Why do you pray? With what results?
Picture 1: Leo welcoming the Community
Picture 2: Leo's Mom & Dad, Shonda & Ray
Picture 3: Anthony & his dad, John
Picture 4: The Coffee Shoppe, Bob & Judy