*REFLECTION FOR TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C* 

"As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight" (Ex. 17: 11). The central theme of this 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C anchors on consistency and perseverance in prayer. 

   The first reading (Ex. 17: 8-13) presents intercession and action as two side of reaching out to God in prayers. To defeat the Amalekites in battle, Moses had to reach out to God raising his hand in praise supported by Aaron and Hur, while Joshua and the men do the physical battle. God needs us to do our own part in receiving the blessings He has in store for us. 

   In the gospel (Luke 18: 1-8), Jesus instructs His disciples on the importance of perseverance in prayer with the story of an unjust judge who neither fear God nor respect any man and the widow. 

   Dear friends, unlike the unjust judge, God is always ready to listen and answer our prayer. As we pray, we need to do something about the situation we are praying for. Again, God will not be happy to be treated like a "spare tyre" only to be looked for when needed. Prayer has to be an attitude of relationship with God and the source of that relationship is the Word of God. St. Paul today admonishes Timothy (2 Tm. 3: 14- 4: 2) to make the Word of God his daily companion and a guide to living with and in God. Since the Scriptures, the Word of God are inspired, and in reading, listening and living it out, we become inspired, the Holy Spirit now "helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought" (Rm. 8: 26). 

   I pray as we journey in life today, we will in joys and sorrows, in success and failures, in breakthroughs and setbacks, remain focused knowing that God will surely intervene in God's own way and time. As you constantly commune with God in prayer, "may He never allow you to stumble..., may He guard your soul from evil and guard your every going and coming both now and forever" (Ps. 120). On this Mission Sunday, may we prayerfully, materially and personally be involved in supporting missionary activities. Have a Happy and Prayer-full Sunday.

 *@Fr Francis Onwunali*