Weekly HOMILY for October 21, 2007: Persistence Makes All the Difference in the World

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
October 21, 2007

Focus: Persistence can make a difference
Function: To show the assembly how to apply persistence in several areas of their lives
Form: The Problem—Solution

Persistence Makes All the Difference in the World
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato


Introduction

Persistence was once described by Harry S. Truman as a, “vitally important attribute to have for successful living.” “Nothing in the world,” he said, “can take its place.”

That’s a rather sweeping statement, wouldn’t you say?

But hear him out. He goes on to cite that TALENT will not take the place of persistence; after all, nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with great talent.

GENIUS will not take its place. Unrewarded genius exists in most professions from classroom teachers to bright assembly line workers.

EDUCATION will not take its place. The world is full of educated street people.

Maybe Harry Truman is right: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.”


Moses

Today’s first reading and Gospel all affirm the necessary quality of persistence.

In the text from EXODUS, Moses is featured as persevering in the face of conflict with the equally persistent Aaron and Hur.

What the Jewish People learned about God came in the form of a series of miracles, each always precipitated by a crisis.

When they were in need of food, God gave them manna. When they thirsted, God provided water. When they were threatened with hostility – as in today’s reading – God protected them.

So what do I tell the young Middle School person who came to me a while ago about being teased at school?

I tell her the story of Moses in battle. Her life is a similar battle, literally!

But it is precisely in her conflict that God will reach out to her, if she perseveres in prayer and trust of God.

It wasn’t easy for Moses holding up those arms, being overrun by the enemy. It isn’t going to be easy for the Middle Schooler or any of us who feels we’re in a battle for our lives.

The God who delivered Moses will deliver each of us, if we trust and persevere.


The Widow

In the Gospel we see a widow’s power to persist until she is given a hearing by an unjust judge. The story Jesus tells us is meant to inspire the same quality in his disciples.

There are so many causes that need our attention today: global warming, the War in Iraq, capital punishment, the termination of the lives of unborn children, health care for all children, the poor on the streets of Baltimore, and the list goes on.

We are the widows of the Gospel and yet we remain so aloof from the judges and legislators who can change things. We do not advocate for justice in our circles of friends or in our families.

And if there’s nothing we can do, what of simply praying each day with persistence for the victims of injustice?

We need to praying and advocate for justice with the same commitment and confidence of the Gospel widow, the widow who kept coming back, pestering, nagging, cajoling, and repeating her plea before the judge?

This same dynamism should fire every disciple’s hoping, yearning, praying and believing.


Conclusion

Let us take these two images with us this evening/today as we make our way into the coming week.

Let the images of Moses’ trembling arms uplifted in battle and the widow who would not rest until she extracted justice from an unjust judge empower us in our personal conflicts and in acting on behalf of justice.

A wise person once said: “Victory goes to the one who endures to the end.” Because of our persistence, may the victory be ours!