29th Sunday of Ordinary Time | 16 October 2022

Today is Sunday the 16th of October, beginning the 29th week of Ordinary Time.

Bifrost Arts sing, ‘We Are Not Overcome’. What are you facing today that you need to ask for God’s strength and support with?

Flesh will fail and bones will break
Thieves will steal, the earth will shake
Night will fall, the light will fade
The Lord will give and take away
Put no trust in the earth
in the sod you stand upon
Flowers fade into dust
The Lord will make a place for us
Because of His great Love
We are not overcome
Because of His great Love
We are not overcome
Have no fear for your life
Turn your cheek, turn your cheek
Bear the yoke of love and death
The Lord will give all life and breath
Because of His great Love
We are not overcome
Because of His great Love
We are not overcome

Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus.

Exodus 17:8-13

Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose some men for us and go out; fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.’ So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the sun set. And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword.

What a beautiful picture of strength and support.

Central to the scene is the staff of God. What does it represent to you?

An older generation playing its crucial part: being present, being supportive of a younger, more physically able generation in active struggle.

Moses, often a commanding presence, here rather vulnerable, weary from his task, relies on his support team.

Has leading been your calling? Are you able to delegate, allow others to step in?

If you have the youth and strength of Joshua, how do you respond to wise leadership? Perhaps praying for others is your life’s work, and wearying of it is a very real threat. How could you take up the staff of God?

As you hear the passage again, consider where the strength and support of God is evident today, in your life and in the world around you. Consider the role of those whose job it is to carry the staff. Perhaps it’s your role!

As this prayer time comes to a close, speak with God, the great Provider of strength and support, about where you see need of His backing today.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.