***
Suffering can bring out the best in us.
Think about how united our nation seemed after the horrific tragedy of 9/11.
Or consider how so many in the Bahamas responded to Hurricane Dorian. Neighbors risked their lives looking for survivors; people rationed their food and water to ensure others could live another day.
It’s a strange truth, but often enough when we suffer together the best in us comes out. There’s always strength in numbers.
***
Consider what happens to the Israelites in our first reading.
They’re being attacked by a foreign army – a terrifying sight. But instead of retreating, they band together.
Imagine these otherwise ordinary fathers and sons marching into battle, adrenaline pumping through their veins, swords raised high, shouting chants of valor.
They know they’re outnumbered, but they’re not afraid. Off in the distance is the prophet Moses, standing high upon a hill, his hands wrapped around his staff, his arms raised in prayer.
Every time Moses raises his staff, Israel advances forward.
But whenever he lowers it they begin to lose. This staff, which Moses calls the “staff of God,” gives Israel the strength they need to win.
But Moses begins to tire. Though Israel is depending upon him, he simply cannot keep his arms raised for the duration of the battle.
He’s not only tired from aging and frequent fighting; he’s also tired from battling the infidelity of his own people. Time and again Israel puts Moses to the test.
***
Maybe some of us have felt like Moses.
***
We find ourselves in the midst of a battle, some personal challenge that has worn us down. Though our hands were once raised high in prayer, it’s difficult to endure.
We’ve become weary.
Maybe we’ve tried repeatedly to forgive someone, to grow in patience, to become sober, to stay healthy, to stay in a marriage.
Though we once raised our hands high in prayer like Moses, our arms have begun to drop.
***
Enter the second half of the story.
***
Realizing that Moses is weary, Aaron and Hur come to his aid. They bring him a rock to sit upon and hold his arms up high for him until the battle is won.
***
Herein lies the lesson for us.
***
We’re not meant to endure our challenges in life alone. Just as Israel was unfairly attacked, often enough bad luck or unfortunate circumstances cross our path.
Think of the thousands of families affected by 9/11 or those reeling in the Bahamas.
Even locally, there are 900,000 people in New Jersey who are “food insecure.”
As Pat Braun mentioned to our parish in the announcements last weekend, there are thousands of people around us – all within 10 miles of here – in need of a helping hand.
As their brothers and sisters in Christ, we have the opportunity to hold their arms up, so to speak, to lift their burdens through organizations like SOS, our parish outreach program.
On an even more personal level, there may be some present here at Mass in need of our support, someone to hold their arms up in prayer while enduring a particular trial.
***
Who has helped me in my hour of need?
And with a grateful heart, how might I help another person, whether it’s someone in my family, a friend, or someone I encounter through SOS?
***
Picture a weary Moses being supported by Aaron and Hur. They stay with him until the battle is won. Victory was a team effort.
In a similar way, we must band together. No matter how big or small our burdens may be, we can lift almost any burden together; there’s always strength in numbers.
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