Homily: Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Exodus 17:8–13; 2 Timothy 3:14–4:2; Luke 18:1–8
19 October 2025
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA
These days I have observed that many Filipinos are so tired. Tired of working for little pay. Tired of paying taxes that do not benefit the nation. Tired of injustice. Tired of the lack of accountability among some of our leaders. Tired of corruption that never seems to end. Tired of trying to do good when it feels like those who cheat get ahead. Even in the Church we feel like calling out, “Lord, how long?” Sadly, some even go as far as getting tired of praying and waiting.
This is exactly what our readings today are about — holding the line when faith feels heavy. In the First Reading, Moses stands on the hill while the Israelites are fighting a battle below. As long as he keeps his hands raised, they win. However, when his hands start to drop, the enemy begins to take over. Remember Moses is an old man. It is expected that he will tire easily. Thus, his friends, Aaron and Hur, come beside him. They hold up his hands until the sun sets — until the people of God win the battle.
This story is not just about Moses. It is also about us because sometimes, we are the ones on that hill — trying to keep our hands raised in faith while the battle rages below. We keep praying for peace in our world, for healing in our families, for justice in our country — but we get tired. Sometimes, it feels like the answer never comes. And naturally, like Moses, we rely on others to hold us up. Maybe, that is our family, our friends, our prayer group? But lucky for us believers in Christ, we can also rely on other Christians and members of our Church to be our “Aarons and Hurs.” Faith does not mean we never grow weary. It means that when we do, we let others help us keep believing.
St. Paul tells Timothy in the Second Reading, “Be persistent, whether it is convenient or inconvenient.” (2 Timothy 4:2) In other words — hold the line. We should not give up when it is uncomfortable, or when our prayers seem unanswered. Because faith is not tested in the easy times — it is proven when everything feels uncertain.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His followers about persistence in prayer. He tells us about the relentless widow — a woman with no power, no money, no connections, but refuses to stop asking for justice. She does not give up until the unjust judge finally gives in. That widow is like every ordinary Filipino who keeps hoping, keeps praying, keeps standing for what is right, even when it seems like nothing changes. Her story is a reminder that faith is not just believing in God — it is believing with God, walking with Him day after day, even when the answers take time.
To have faith is to acknowledge that we need not win quickly, but rather to remain faithful slowly. Hence, maybe today, Jesus is asking us: Will we keep believing when things are hard? Will we keep praying when nothing happens yet? Will we keep doing good when others stop? Yes, my friends, when we feel tired — tired of the situation of our country, tired of life, tired of praying — let us remember Moses. Let us remember the persistent widow. Let us remember that we are not alone. Let us welcome others to hold up our hands, and let us be willing to hold up theirs too.
Faith is not always spectacular. Sometimes it is just quietly saying, “Lord, I am still here.” And when we do that, we are actually holding the line — and God, who is always faithful, will never let us down!
Sunday Gospel Reflections 