Gospel – Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, “There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.'”
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Reflection on Sunday Gospel

Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God…

The Gospel reading presents us with two major themes: pray always and don’t give up.  So, how do you pray always?  The widow returned to the judge over and over again.  Each time she presented her request.  We read that he finally gave in and granted her demand.  We can almost hear him say, “Oh no, not you again”.  He knew that she would not accept rejection because he had the power to make things right.  He did not have the patience to hear her urgent petition repeatedly.  It is different with God.  God has an immeasurable capacity to listen.

When I was younger and eager to understand how I could be a person of prayer, I interpreted the “always” literally.  I actually memorized litanies and recited them throughout the day.  I look back and laugh at myself a little.  I grew to understand that prayer is not synonymous with speaking words in a daily routine of prescribed formulas. It is now obvious to me that God cannot be manipulated or bribed with promises of more prayers. There is no magic number associated with God granting my heart’s desire.  The more I pray, the more the focus shifts away from me and what I want.

The focus is on the desires of God’s heart; the heart that loves us into being and sustains us.  Jesus knew we would eventually catch on through the wisdom of the Saints and the Church.  Praying-always is the constant recognition of God’s divine presence. “Remember that we are in the holy presence of God”.  Let us continue to relentlessly seek the Lord.

St. John Baptist de La Salle … Pray for Us!
Live Jesus in our Hearts … Forever!

Ms. Lorraine D’Agostino