<<Sing – (join me if you know it)>> Lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on. For it won’t be long, ‘til I’m gonna need somebody to lean on…
That song, by Bill Withers, captures something important, not just in our regular lives, but also in our spiritual journey. There are times when we lean on others. And times when they lean on us. It is what it means to be human, I think. But even more so, our scriptures tell us it is something that God desires for us in God’s great plan of salvation. That we learn to lean on each other. Are you a natural leaner? Or does that come only with great difficulty?
In that first reading we hear that interesting story of Moses and the battle with the Ameleks. But before I go any further about that battle, allow me to lead you through a little experience that will help you understand. If you have room around you (do not hit the person next to you) I ask you to hold your arms straight out in that gesture of praying we heard described in the first reading – hands facing upward toward the heavens. Hold them in that position as long as you can. As long as you can…
As long as Moses had his hands raised, in this gesture of supplication – the Israelite’s had the better of the battle. And when his arms grew tired, and they drooped, it did not go well. Perched on the hillside holding the staff which split the Red Sea in two, his staff and gesture would be an obvious sign that the same God who rescued them from the hand of Pharaoh was with them in this battle. So, Moses knows he has to hold his hands up, to let people know that the strength for this war comes from God, and God alone. And as you might be finding out now, this <<gesture to arms outstretched>> gets tough after a while. So Moses leans on Aaron and Hur. He relies upon their support, their strength to get through the battle. Moses was a leaner.
In an interesting side note – you cannot find mention of the Ameleks in any history book (save the Bible which is not a history book per se). Perhaps it was a real battle. <<How are those arms doing?>> Perhaps not. Origen, a biblical commentator writing in the 3rd century said that “Amelek” is a symbolic enemy – a sign of all that challenges us on our spiritual journeys home to God. And so the battle with Amelek stands for all that must be faced and defeated and conquered. And since it is a battle with evil itself, it is a battle that is always more than our strength. Amelek can ONLY be defeated by the power of God. <<How are those arms doing?>>
Nor is it individual prayer that wins the battle. Aaron and Hur hold up Moses’ arms, as he holds up the staff of God in his tired arms. Unlike our American ‘rugged individualism semi-idolatry’ – where we try to convince ourselves ‘we can do it on our own’ – God would have us learn in this battle that we have to lean on one another and lean on God to see the journey through. To rely on our own Aaron’s and Hur’s to strengthen us and hold up our arms when our faith is struggling. To pray to God in the company of believers in difficult times. This is why Jesus formed a church, and not a group of rugged individuals. It is not just good but necessary (as your arms are telling you right now) to lean on folks during the difficult times in our lives. <<you can put your arms down.>>
And so, this week, ask yourself, where do I need to do a little leaning – a little relying upon the power of God rather than my own strength. Perhaps you are new to AA and recovery, and you have an out of town business conference to get through. Maybe you have a difficult conversation you need to have with a co-worker, or a son/daughter, a parishioner. Maybe it is a doctor’s visit that has you out of sorts. Seek out a friend, a favorite uncle, an elderly parishioner whose holiness inspires you and ask them to support your need in prayer. And be very specific – I need you to be praying for me from 8am until 9:15 am – let them hold up your arms in love.
And, for whom can you be the one leaned upon? Do a little proactive question asking about a roommate’s week – any tests, difficult meetings, etc, that they need some help and prayer for? Call that son away in college, that niece who moved out of the state and is settling in on her own. End your conversation with a simple: For what can I pray for you in the days to come? And then lift those arms in prayer.
Because when it is all said and done, <<Sing>> “We all need somebody, to lean on.”