This weekend we hear of readings that encourage us in the spiritual battle to remain persistent, especially in prayer.
Exodus tells us the story of Joshua going into battle and winning if Moses keeps his arms up in prayer. This is an encouragement in persistence in prayer. As long as Moses was interceding for the fight, they were winning. The posture that Moses is holding is a posture of intercession. The arms up in prayer like this is the orans position that the priest holds in Mass. This posture is interceding to the Lord on behalf of the people. If you notice, Aaron and Hur don’t take over the posture but instead assist Moses in keeping the posture. Just like in Mass, the hands raised in the orans anytime in Mass should only be held by the priests, not the people.
The position crept in sadly from a protestant mentality that there is no difference between priest and people. They encourage everyone to hold their hands like this, especially during the Our Father, because they see no difference between the ordained interceding and everyone else. The argument they also have is that the arms raised in that posture and holding of hands during the Our Father is a symbol of unity, but in Catholic Mass the reality of unity is on the altar in front of you in that moment-the Eucharist-and any other gesture at that moment is taking away from the significance of Jesus’ true presence as our source of unity. Doing anything else in that moment distracts us from that unity in Him on the altar.
A while ago someone petitioned the Vatican to make everyone hold hands during the Our Father, and their response was no, that it takes away from the true unity of the Eucharist in that moment. This doesn’t mean at any point as a couple or a family we can’t hold hands impromptu, but it does mean that it shouldn’t be something we do specifically as a gesture during the Our Father, especially not raising our hands to the nothingness above during the doxology, “For the kingdom and the power and the glory…” When we raise our hands in the air at that moment that is completely taking away from the true presence of Jesus right in front of you, and therefore should not be done.
Gestures matter, and the place and timing of gestures matter. The arms open or hands raised in prayer outside of Mass is totally ok, but we must remember that we don’t try to add or subtract anything from the Mass, as it is not ours to play with as we please. We should stick to what we have been given. The Eucharist is not only the sign and symbol, but the reality of unity.
In the Gospel today we hear of the Judge and persistent widow. We hear of her persistence in asking the judge that neither feared God nor respected any human being. Her persistence wins the just decision she was seeking. Just think how much more fruitful persistence in prayer is to a just, merciful, and loving judge that is the Lord. May we be faithful then in prayer, and most especially see that prayer isn’t just convincing God of our requests, but that it is seeking justice and the conversion of our hearts, to be faithful.
This week we will be tearing down a house that we purchased, and hopefully in the spring or summer we will add more parking to the west lot. Parking is always something we need to expand. This was a smart choice and the cheapest option we had to adding parking.
Lastly, Sue Holbrook has been attempting to retire for some time. October 31 is her last day in the position. It is a well-deserved retirement, and I am very happy for her. Sue has helped me over the last five years to get our finances in better order, cutting where we can year by year. Through this effort we have been able to balance our budget for the first time in a very, very long time. We also thank all of you for your support in making all this possible.
We have been able to hire someone new as the part-time Business Manager, Jill Tompkins. Jill starts October 20. Jill is originally from Quincy and has returned recently. She has a degree in accounting and many great qualifications. I believe that she will bring many good gifts to the position. I will have her write a little introduction at some point to introduce herself. Be patient in the transition. We also will be having a retirement gathering for Sue very soon; look for details. How very exciting for where we have come from, and what is ahead!
– Father Arisman