10/16/2022

The first reading on Sundays in Ordinary Time is normally connected to the gospel. Today, the first reading from Exodus has Moses on a hill with rod in his outstretched hand overlooking a battle between Israel led by Joshua and the Amalekites. When Moses raised his hand, the Israelites prevailed; when he got tired and lowered his hand, the Amalekites prevailed. So Aaron and Hur helped Moses keep his hands raised, and Israel won. Now what does Israel’s victory over the Amalekites have to do with the parable of the persistent widow in the gospel? The main connection is that of persistence in prayer by Moses, by the widow in the parable, and also by Christ on the cross.
The connection to Christ on the cross was made by the Church Fathers, according to Brant Pitre. There is a parallel seen between Moses extending his hands as if in prayer and Israel winning the earthly battle over the Amalekites, and Christ extending his hands in prayer on the cross and obtaining spiritual victory over the devil for humanity. This sort of interpretation is called Typology – Moses is a type which is fulfilled by Christ, in this case. It is a powerful way of interpreting the scriptures, one which emphasizes the unity of all scripture, Old and New Testaments, rather than seeing contradictions and differences. There are other parallels as well: 2) just as Moses has two men on either side, Aaron and Hur, so also does Christ have the good thief on one side and the bad thief on the other; 3) just as Moses is on a hill above the battle with his arms outstretched, so too is Christ on the hill of Calvary with his arms outstretched; and 4) just as Moses is doing this in the evening as the sun sets, so too is Jesus being crucified in the afternoon at the time of evening sacrifice as the sun is setting. Both Moses and Christ are interceding, Moses for the Israelites in battle and Christ for all of humanity in its battle with Satan. This sort of interpretation exists in our history, and results from reading the Old Testament in light of the New, and the New Testament in light of the Old. In fact St. Augustine of Hippo has a famous saying that the New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New. (CCC129)
Both the woman and Moses are “Types” of Christ persisting in prayer and obtaining victory through prayer and suffering on the cross. It is a tribute to the power of intercessory prayer and what it can accomplish, especially when done with persistence in faith. And the Holy Spirit allows us to find unity in diverse passages of scripture by seeing Typology present with the eyes of faith. Our first and third readings for today just happen to be a great example of how this happens.
It is joy to be your Pastor.

Father Albert, O.S.B.