Reflection for October 19, 2025

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Exodus 17:8-13 | Psalm 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 | 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2 | Luke 18:1-8

​Prayer is both a struggle of faith and a victory of perseverance—and that’s the heart of this week’s readings. We see Moses holding up God’s staff for hours during a battle, his tired arms propped up by Aaron and Hur. Paul urges Timothy to stay faithful in preaching the Word, even when people push back. And Jesus tells the story of a widow who just won’t give up until an unjust judge finally gives in and grants her justice.

​San Miguel Parish was not a fan of alcohol. In fact, when a bar across the street announced it was expanding, the parish launched a full-on prayer campaign to stop it. Week after week, they prayed hard. The bar kept building anyway—right up until a week before its grand opening, when lightning struck it and burned it to the ground. Afterward, the parishioners walked around with a certain smug glow, whispering about “the power of prayer.” That is, until the bar owner decided to sue the parish, claiming their prayers were responsible for the destruction of his building. Naturally, the parish denied any connection whatsoever. When the case finally landed in court, the judge looked over the papers, shook his head, and said, “This is going to be a tough one. On the one hand, we’ve got a bar owner who actually believes in the power of prayer, and on the other hand, an entire parish that doesn’t.”
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Today’s first reading from Exodus gives us a powerful picture of prayer as both a battle and a victory of perseverance. The Israelites were under attack from the Amalekites, descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother. Moses sent his men into the fight, promising that he would stand before them with the staff of God in his hands. And here’s what happened: as long as Moses kept his hands raised, Israel was winning. But whenever he grew tired and lowered them, the enemy started gaining ground. To keep Moses steady, his companions set up a seat for him and held up his arms so the staff remained lifted high. With his hands raised, Israel finally defeated their enemies. The word “prayer” isn’t directly mentioned in the passage, but that’s clearly what’s going on—Moses, God’s chosen leader, was lifting up his people in prayer. And when he grew weary, his brother Aaron, the high priest, was there to help hold him up.

One stormy night, Ferdz Bautista was set to speak to young people at the Manila Cathedral. The rain was pouring so hard that his host, Msgr. Nestor Cerbo, tried to talk him out of going, saying people would probably assume the event was canceled. Ferdz simply replied, “But wasn’t it announced for tonight? I must go—even if the only one there is the doorkeeper.” In the end, fewer than a dozen people showed up. But what happened that night was extraordinary. The Holy Spirit moved powerfully in that small gathering, and those who came were forever changed. About half went on to become leaders of instrumental and vocal ensembles or teachers of liturgical music, while the rest eventually became the music directors who helped form the 1,000-member Papal Choir for Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines in 2015. It’s a reminder that God doesn’t measure impact by numbers—sometimes, what looks small and hidden can ripple out into something far greater than we could imagine.

Along with prayer, we’re also called to be persistent in living out our discipleship. In his Second Letter to Timothy, Paul wrote: “Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” That reminder wasn’t just for Timothy—it’s just as important for us today. We live in a time when false teachings, distorted doctrines, shallow “spiritualities,” and watered-down versions of the gospel are everywhere, even creeping into the Church and causing people to stumble in their faith. That’s why we need to stay steady. By persevering in prayer and staying faithful in our discipleship—both on our own and together as a community—we can hold fast to Jesus Christ and His true teaching.

One day Orlando prayed, “Lord, teach me persistence.” Careful what you pray for, right? The very next morning at 5 a.m., his neighbor Florencio knocked on the door. “Orlando, can I borrow some sugar?” Half-asleep, Orlando grumbled, handed him the sugar, and stumbled back to bed. At 6 a.m.—knock, knock. It’s Florencio again. “Bro, do you have some eggs?” Orlando sighed, gave him the eggs, and went back to bed. By 7 a.m.—you guessed it—Florencio was back. This time: “Orly, got any coffee?” That was the last straw. Orlando snapped, “Florencio! Why do you keep bothering me?!” Florencio just smiled and said, “Because, my friend… you always answer.”

In our Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to “pray always without growing weary” and then shares the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge. Back then, it was normally a male relative who would stand up in court for a woman. But this widow likely had no one to speak for her, so she bravely went to the judge herself. Chances are, the dispute was about property or resources she needed to survive and care for her children. Jesus points to her as a model of perseverance in prayer. If even an unrighteous judge can eventually give in because of persistence, how much more will our loving God respond to those who keep calling on Him? So Jesus leaves us with a challenge: when the Son of Man returns, will He find faith in your heart? Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Don’t lose heart. Keep going. Keep praying.

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