Context No. 3941 of 4322 · Judith

Judith 10:1-5: in context

1It came to pass, when she had ceased to cry to the God of Israel, and had finished saying all these words, 2that she rose up where she had fallen down, called her maid, and went down into the house that she lived on the Sabbath days and on her feast days. 3She pulled off the sackcloth which she had put on, took off the garments of her widowhood, washed her body all over with water, anointed herself with rich ointment, braided the hair of her head, and put a tiara upon it. She put on her garments of gladness, which she used to wear in the days of the life of Manasses her husband. 4She took sandals for her feet, and put on her anklet, bracelets, rings, earrings, and all her jewelry. She made herself very beautiful to deceive the eyes of all men who would see her. 5She gave her maid a leather container of wine and a flask of oil, and filled a bag with roasted grain, lumps of figs, and fine bread. She packed all her vessels together, and laid them upon her.

When Judith has finished pouring out her prayer to God, she rises from where she has fallen in supplication and begins to act. She rises, takes off her widow's mourning garments, prepares herself, gathers provisions, and sets out on her dangerous mission to the enemy camp.

There is a movement here worth noticing: from prayer to action. Judith did not only pray; having prayed, she got up and did what needed to be done. The two belong together. Her prayer was earnest and heartfelt, but it did not end in the dust of the sackcloth; it led her to rise and act with courage and careful preparation. There is a lesson here about the relationship of prayer and action in the life of faith. Prayer is not a substitute for doing what we can; nor is action a substitute for prayer. Judith prayed as though everything depended on God, and then rose and acted as though much depended on her diligence and courage. When we have brought a matter earnestly to God, the time often comes to rise, as Judith did, and to act on what we have prayed for.

When I have brought a matter earnestly to God in prayer, am I ready, like Judith, to rise and act on it with courage and diligence, letting my prayer lead into faithful action rather than replacing it?

Sources

Judith 10:1: "When she had ceased to cry to the God of Israel, and had finished saying all these words."
Judith 10:2: "She rose up where she had fallen down, called her maid, and went down into the house."
Judith 10:3: "She pulled off the sackcloth which she had put on... and put on her garments of gladness."