Will He Find Faith When He Returns

Homily for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

At the end of today’s Gospel text, Jesus asks a haunting question: “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" I think we would all like to answer the question with a resounding “yes!” However, the answer to the question depends upon how we identify or define faith.

In the first reading for today’s liturgy from the Book of Exodus, we hear a story about the children of Israel fighting the army of Amalek. This battle takes place as Moses and the Israelites are making their way to the Promised Land. Along the way of their journey, Moses would have them pitch camp so that the people could rest. It was at one of these encampments, Rephidim, that Amalek and his army ambushed the Israelites. Moses gave instructions to Joshua to choose some men and engage them in battle. Moses stood on a hill overlooking the battlefield. He raised his arms in prayer while holding his staff above his head. As long as his arms were raised in prayer, the Israelites prevailed in the battle. However, as anyone who has ever held their arms above their head will tell you, eventually he grew tired and his arms fell. Aaron and Hur assisted Moses by holding his arms while they seated him on a rock. Eventually, Joshua prevailed and the Israelites won the battle. Not only does this story teach us about the need to be persistent in our prayer, it also reminds us that we often need the help of others in our spiritual battles. Who among us has not asked others to pray for us or for our intention?

Psalm 121, is classified as a psalm of trust. Trust in God is certainly one characteristic of a person of faith. “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord…” The psalmist declares that God’s help is not limited by time or space. God is always present in our lives even if we failed to recognize that presence.

In his Second Letter to Timothy, St. Paul urges Timothy to protect the community from the inevitable impact of false teaching without fear of the personal attacks that may result. Timothy was appointed by St. Paul to be the leader of the community in Ephesus. Ephesus was a significant ancient city located in what is now western Turkey. It served as a major financial, political, and cultural center in Asia Minor and was known for the pagan Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation as one of the seven churches, indicating its importance in early Christianity. However, inevitably the Christian community of Ephesus would have experienced resistance from the pagan Gentile community of this great city. In this letter, St. Paul recommends that Timothy rely on the power of the scriptures, on proclamation of the word, and on sound doctrine, without being troubled by those who do not accept him. Reliance on the Scriptures is also a component of faith.

The Gospel text for today, presents us with the parable of the unjust judge and the struggle of the widow for justice. The word widow in this culture means “voiceless one.” Notice carefully the words of the unjust judge himself: “While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.” Obviously, this Jewish judge has forsaken the precepts of the covenant that call for us to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. If this unjust judge gives into the resistance of the widow, how much more can we expect from God who is goodness itself. Unlike many of the parables, we are told the meaning behind it. Jesus was trying to teach his disciples to be persistent in their prayer, another sign of faith.

That takes me back to the question that Jesus poses at the end of this parable. Persistence in prayer, constant prayer is one of the components of faith. While the answer to our prayers may seem to be ignored, it might help us to remember that each of us is just one person among billions who are asking God for help. Each of us is just one person in the sea of humanity—with one prayer seemingly unanswered. My little voice is lost in the roar of pleading that resounds through the ages. Families in desperate poverty and loss join the chorus. Chants rise from Aleppo, requiems from Rwanda, dirges from the bloody wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Lost in the din of history is the weeping from battered children, abandoned souls, distraught minds. Who will prop up the outstretched arms of humanity, pained with almost endless ache?

Each Sunday as we come to give glory and praise to God, we also offer our petitions of need and concern. Think of the thousands of communities that are doing exactly the same thing today. Yes, God is all-powerful; God does answer our prayers. However, does it not seem reasonable that sometimes our little needs and concerns might be put aside by more urgent prayers? This does not mean that God is like the unjust judge. It means that God is actually the widow in this parable, that God is constantly calling out for us to render justice to the poor, to the forsaken, to the oppressed. It is our arms that we must prop up in prayer. We cannot become weary. We must support one another in prayer, proving that we are people of faith who will be waiting when Jesus returns.