Today’s message is one that is a challenge for us as Americans, that is because it is all about relying on others and on God. However, one of the key virtues of American Culture is rugged individualism. Imagine the classic American stereotype found in the western movies starring Clint Eastwood. (Quick disclaimer: I obviously have never met the man, but it does appear that his characters are not him.) Can you imagine Clint Eastwood’s Stranger from High Plains Drifter asking for help or getting down on his knees and praying to God? I can’t. However, that character is one American archetype. Today’s readings challenge it. Indeed, in the bible especially the Old Testament we see clearly the need to rely on the support of others within the community.

Today in the first reading we see the classic scene of the Jews fighting against the Amalekites. Moses needed to call upon the power of God and in order to do that he needed the help of Aaron and Hur. Together, the army of the Jews are a channel of the power of God through the prayer of Moses with the assistance of Aaron and Hur. There is no rugged individualism there, only, a call to rely on the power of God and each other in the community. That message is real. God works through each one us within the community to draw the community closer to Him. We have a calling to rely on God and allow him to work in our lives individually and through the community. That is one of the reasons why the old idea that I can go alone in the woods to worship God, I don’t need to go to Church, does not work. God is calling us as a community and working in our lives and in the lives of other members of the community. We cannot go it alone and we cannot go it alone without God.

Now there is another side of the same coin that we can see in the Gospel. Jesus uses a few key words to describe the personality of the judge. Looking at His description, here we have an intensely narcissistic man of power, he is self-absorbed and self interested. I like to describe these people as those who cannot see beyond the end of their noses, and who do not get the concept that there are other people on the planet besides themselves. He has no relationship with God, or anyone else. He has only a relationship with his power, its benefits and keeping it. However, this woman constantly persists in seeking not her own self interest, but simply a just decision against her opponent.

The point is simple. If this man, so self-absorbed, arrogant and unsympathetic can do what this woman requests, why would you expect that a loving God would do any less? Therefore, Jesus begins his words by telling us not to get discouraged, to be persistent and expectant in prayer. Know that God will give us not what we want, but a just response in light of what we want. I love the terms that many use about God. He is surprise. He answers our prayers in ways that often are best, but are beyond our expectation. However, our expectations may lead us to believe it is futile and get discouraged. Trust that God answers our prayers and trust me I know from experience that He does in ways beyond our own expectations.

God answers our prayers in his time. Let me give you an example. It is April 17th and you own a farm and decide to plant your corn crop. You ask God to make sure you have a good crop. April 18th comes and you look out your window and voila there is a full grown crop of corn exactly what you prayed for, however, it is about six months too early. Suddenly, you have farmers coming from all over to find out how you did it. You have pilgrims coming from everywhere seeking the miracle crop of corn. Satellite trucks start appearing outside your farm. Reporters coming from all over the world are pushing microphones in your face asking you questions in accents so intense you can barely understand. The United States Department of Agriculture sends out agents to speak with you and the UN has members who come to see you. Finally, you realize that your crop is destroyed by people trampling it, investigating it, worshipping it, praying with it, etc. God answered your prayers but not in the way that is best. However, if we return to April 17th and you begin to plant your crop. Everyday you pray that in the fall you have a good harvest. You have done all you can and God does the rest. You wait and you begin to see results over time, but nothing happens instantly and you can only wait to see the fruit of your prayer. You do everything you can, and allow God to do His part, but it takes patience and perseverance. This is what God does and it is in this that we put our trust. Be open to his answer, bring your request to prayer, bring it to mass ask others to pray for your intention and if you don’t want to tell them what it is, you can ask them to pray for your special intention. Pray and know that your prayers are heard and that God answers in ways that are best. Trust, believe, know and do not get discouraged.

Indeed, when you pray, thank God for His answer although it has not come yet, in that you will be realizing that yes, the answer will come from Him in His way and time. Be open, expectant and know He is God and will act on your behalf in ways that are best for all concerned.

God Bless You,

Fr. Robert J Carr
Fr. Carr is an alliance member of the New Song Community (Canção Nova). He is the pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Somerville, MA and is the editor of this blog. He is also the author of a blog directed specifically to priests. That can be found at thesacramentallife.blogspot.com

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