Daily Mass Readings – Sunday, 22 October 2028

8 And Amalec came, and fought against Israel in Raphidim.

9 And Moses said to Josue: Choose out men: and go out and fight against Amalec: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill having the rod of God in my hand.

10 Josue did as Moses had spoken, and he fought against Amalec; but Moses, and Aaron, and Hur went up upon the top of the hill.

11 And when Moses lifted up his hands, Israel overcame: but if he let them down a little, Amalec overcame.

12 And Moses’ hands were heavy: so they took a stone, and put under him, and he sat on it: and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands on both sides. And it came to pass that his hands were not weary until sunset.

13 And Josue put Amalec and his people to flight, by the edge of the sword.

R. (2) Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

1 I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me.

2 My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

3 May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth thee.

4 Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel.

R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

5 The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not burn thee by day: nor the moon by night.

R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

7 The Lord keepeth thee from all evil: may the Lord keep thy soul.

8 May the Lord keep thy going in and thy going out; from henceforth now and for ever.

R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

14 But continue thou in those things which thou hast learned, and which have been committed to thee: knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures, which can instruct thee to salvation, by the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice,

17 That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.

4:1 I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom:

2 Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

12 The word of God is living and effective, discerning reflections and thoughts of the heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 And he spoke also a parable to them, that we ought always to pray, and not to faint,

2 Saying: There was a judge in a certain city, who feared not God, nor regarded man.

3 And there was a certain widow in that city, and she came to him, saying: Avenge me of my adversary.

4 And he would not for a long time. But afterwards he said within himself: Although I fear not God, nor regard man,

5 Yet because this widow is troublesome to me, I will avenge her, lest continually coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said: Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And will not God revenge his elect who cry to him day and night: and will he have patience in their regard?

8 I say to you, that he will quickly revenge them. But yet the Son of man, when he cometh, shall he find, think you, faith on earth?

Perseverance in prayer is the thread joining these readings. Israel’s victory came as Moses kept his hands raised toward God, while Aaron and Hur supported him when he grew weary. The widow in Jesus’ parable also continued to ask for justice, refusing to surrender before an unjust judge. Her persistence does not suggest that God is reluctant to hear; it reveals the faith that keeps turning toward him. “Our help is from the Lord,” the Psalm declares, and the Lord neither slumbers nor abandons his people.

Such prayer is nourished by Scripture. God’s word teaches, corrects, and forms us for every good work; it searches the heart and gives faith a steady foundation. We may grow tired, but we do not have to pray alone or rely on our own strength. The support of others, the truth of Scripture, and confidence in God’s faithful keeping help us remain before him. Christian prayer does not demand immediate control over events. It keeps faith alive while awaiting the Lord, so that when the Son of Man comes, he may find hearts still trusting, still asking, and still turned toward God.

Faithful Lord, you are our help and our keeper. When prayer feels difficult and our strength grows small, sustain us as you sustained your people in battle. Give us the humility to receive support from others and the patience to remain before you without losing heart. Let your living word correct our thoughts, strengthen our faith, and teach us to seek what is right. Keep our hearts awake to your presence through every trial. May our persistent prayer become a quiet trust in your wisdom and justice, until the day Christ comes and finds faith alive within us. Amen.