Cycle C - Year I:  

20 October 2013: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical color: Green)

Luke 18:1-8

Trusting and persevering in prayer!

Children endear themselves to us because of their trusting and persevering attitude, especially towards their parents. For example, a little child will ask his/her father or mother for something, knowing that his/her wish will come true. Because a little child loves and believes firmly that the parents will respond to such request out of love. Such is the great faith of a child in his/her parents!

This Sunday's Gospel tells us something about trust and perseverance when we pray to God.

Jesus tells a story about a defenseless widow who is taken advantaged of and refused her rights. But through her sheer persistence, she wears down an unscrupulous judge so that in the end the judge gives her justice she prays for. Her persistence pays off.

Jesus told this parable to give fresh hope and confidence to his disciples. Because in this life we can expect sufferings and adversity, but we are not without hope in God. For the just can look forward with hope to that day when they will receive their reward.

In other words, Jesus illustrates with this parable how God as our ultimate Judge is much quicker to bring us His justice, blessings, and help when we need it, especially when we don't lose heart and persist in asking our heavenly Father for his grace and help through prayers.

So, what is "prayer"? Let us listen and reflect on some of the most beautiful understanding of what prayer is.

- Our Pope Francis tells of "prayer as the dialogue of the soul with God."

- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta says that "prayer is to the soul what air is to the body. If we take away prayer, the soul suffocates, just as the body deprived of air perishes."

- The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines prayer "as the raising of one's mind and heart to God, or the petitions of good things from Him in accord with His will."

Thus, in effect prayer is our personal and living encounter with God. This means that prayer is relational. Like the widow in the parable, persistence in praying cultivates and nourishes our gift of faith, which deepens our trust in God's unfailing love.

But sometimes we are discouraged when we are led to believe that our prayers seem not answered. The reality is that God always listens to our prayers; it is His answers that we may not like.

It is necessary, therefore, to pray for the grace of humility so that we are able to cooperate with whatever God wants to bestow upon us, regardless of our own preferences or specific requests.

Towards the end of the parable Jesus asks a probing question for us: Will you and I have faith that perseveres to the end, when Jesus returns in glory to judge the living and the dead?

Our answer is clear. If we want to live, grow, and persevere in our faith until the end, then we must nourish our faith with the word of God and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

Let us, therefore, pray: Lord, give me faith to believe your promises, and give me perseverance and hope to withstand trials and adversities. Help me to trust in your unfailing love and to find joy and contentment in You alone. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!