Judith 10:1-5: a reflection

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.

Judith has just poured out a long prayer to the God of Israel, lying in sackcloth before him. Now she rises. She gets up from where she has fallen, sets aside the garments of her mourning, and prepares herself deliberately for a dangerous mission on behalf of her besieged people. The scene marks a turn from prayer to action, from crying out to God to stepping out in courage.

There is a rhythm here worth noticing. Judith does not act first and pray later, nor does she pray and then do nothing. She prays fully, emptying her heart before God, and then she rises and moves, taking careful, practical steps toward the task at hand. Her courage is not self-confidence; it grows out of the prayer that came before it. Having laid her cause before God, she is ready to risk herself for her people.

This pattern can shape your own life. Prayer is not meant to be a substitute for action, nor action a substitute for prayer. Pour out your heart to God about what troubles you, and then rise, as Judith did, and take the steps that lie before you. Faith prays and then moves. When God has heard your cry, get up from your knees ready to act with courage, trusting that the God you prayed to goes with you.

Lord, teach me the rhythm of Judith, who poured out her heart to you and then rose to act with courage for her people. Keep me from using prayer as an excuse for inaction, or action as a flight from prayer. When I have laid my cause before you, help me to get up and take the steps you set before me, trusting that you go with me. Amen.