Cycle C - Year II:  

16 October 2016: Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical color: Green)

Gospel: Please read  Luke 18:1-8

Trusting and persevering in prayer!

Corruption in the judiciary is a serious issue in an struggling democracy. Often times, the poor of society are the victims because they cannot afford lengthy litigation and trials.

That scenario is the starting point, or background, of the Gospel narrative for this Sunday, from the evangelist St. Luke.

Our Lord Jesus Christ tells a parable of a persistent widow to teach us something about trust and perseverance when we pray to God.

In the story, a defenseless widow 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.

Thus, the intent of the parable is to give fresh hope and confidence to the disciple as they follow our Lord Jesus in His difficult path.  It is also true for us today, because in this life we can expect sufferings and adversity. But we are not without hope in God. For those who persevere can look forward with hope to that day when they will receive their just reward.

With this parable Jesus illustrates how God as our ultimate judge is much quicker to bring us His justice, blessings, and help when we need it, especially when we do not lose heart and persist in asking our heavenly Father for His grace and help through prayers.

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

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

- Our new Saint Teresa of Calculta 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."

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.

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.

Therefore, it is necessary 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: "But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Lk 18:8) 

In other words, 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 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!