Active Membership Pillar: Engagement in at least one parish ministry

Our first reading this week is exciting—a battle to defend Israel. Wars do not make one great, as a famous philosopher once said, but sometimes one needs to defend those in need. Moses, at the direction of God, stood on a hill overlooking the battle and raised his staff—the battle went well. But holding a burden aloft is not something that one can do forever, and Moses tired. His companions Aaron and Hur helped as they could, holding his arms aloft for him as his strength failed, and the Israelites finally carried the day.
The second reading and the Gospel also highlight the importance of perseverance, in prayer and in studying Scripture. Our immersion in Scripture in Mass and elsewhere helps us be “equipped for every good work.” Much good can be done if we unceasingly work to aid the lowly and downtrodden, to aid our neighbors in the parish and strangers outside of it.

But, like Moses, we don’t have the strength to keep up our good work without end, if we are alone. The ministries of Lumen Christi allow us to join our efforts with others of like inclination to multiply our work and our prayers. When one needs to rest, others can support her; and then she can take up the slack when others need repose. We can share our perseverance and encouragement. None of us need to do everything, but what we can do is share in the work. (The benefits to the community and to ourselves is immense.) Our parish ministries are a good place to start, whether as a greeter or Eucharistic minister, or delivering donations for Respect Life Month, or serving food at a pantry. We can all take turns being Moses, Aaron, and Hur.