​The readings today all have within them the idea of mercy and living in a way that honors the Lord.

​Last Sunday, you may remember, Jesus taught the disciples about praying with constancy, with perseverance. Today, Jesus teaches us what perhaps is the most foundational part of praying — praying with humility. 

​Prayer is both a battle of faith and the triumph of perseverance. This encouragement is at the heart of this week’s readings. Moses holds up the staff of God, his arms supported by Aaron and Hur, for hours, during a battle. Paul challenges Timothy to remain faithful to the ministry of proclamation, even in the face of resistance. And Jesus tells the story of a widow who persists in demanding justice from an unjust judge until she wears him down and is given her due.

​Today our readings for this Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time are about faith, frustration, and how much is enough. Habakkuk is a complainer having an argument with God. Timothy is encouraging a community challenged by cowardice and the apostles want more faith than they have.