Persistence in Prayer
Today, we will hear the gospel for the twenty-ninth Sunday about the widow and the unjust judge, a parable about a widow who is persistent in seeking justice and a judge who finally gives in because of her perseverance (Luke 18: 1-8). In the very first verse it says, “And he told them this parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” It is important to understand what the Lord Jesus is saying to us in this time.
In the first reading for the day, we see a battle with the people of God and Amalek, the king of the Amalekites. When Israel left Egypt, they were one of the first nations to attack Israel. They were relentless and plunderers of others. Moses responded to the attack by hand picking men and engaging them in battle taking along with him Aaron and Hur as his assistants. Joshua led the people into battle. Moses lifted his arms to God and as long as he lifted them, Israel was victorious. If he lowered them, Amalek and his people gained ground.
Here is an important lesson. Just as Moses grew tired throughout the day, we too can grow tired in the daily battle of life. Aaron and Hur lifted Moses arms and held them for him, so that he could be persistent in his prayer lifting up the intercession of God’s people. We too, as brothers and sisters, must help each other in the battles of our lives as we cry out to God for his assistance. The cross shows us it is a relationship with God and with each other bound together in his love.
In Psalm 121 we again see that God is our protector, the one who cares deeply for us. We are called to look to him and see that he protects us, with a loving and caring heart, not wanting anything bad to happen to us. He will guard our lives, guard us from evil, guard our coming and going. I have lived a life, many times coming close to death and can testify how God has always been there. He is also there for each of you every day waiting to hear from you. Our eyes must be fixed upon Jesus, the leader and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12), looking to him for all things and trusting in his love and care for us.
A change of venue takes place in the second reading. Here St. Paul reminds us of the power of scripture to equip us for every good work in this life. God charges us to proclaim the word and be consistent. We can only be persistent in our prayer, if we know what God desires and should have the same desire God does for others to know this. We are called to realize that God wrote sacred scripture and presented it through his Holy Spirit to human beings, so we can trust in what God has revealed.
Fr. Denis Hanly, a MaryKnoll missioner says, “we must not think of prayer as wanting to change God’s mind, like the widow to the judge, but that we want to be changed.” Reading, studying and sharing scripture will change us, as we surrender more and more to the will of God in our lives.
Finally, in the gospel, Jesus tells his hearers the parable about the widow and the judge, how she was persistent, even though this judge is unjust, he gives in to her plea. God loves us and is far more merciful than this judge. We must realize that in our lives and in every situation, God is working everything for our good. God wants us to call out to him, to look to him and to listen for his answer.
It may be one word, one thought during that time or even later when we are sitting quietly reflecting upon what God speaks to us and what we have been asking him about. Remember what the Spirit says to us in Ephesians 6:18, “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” He is not put off by our constant calling out to him, as he wants us to rely upon him.
In verse 6 he says, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?” Oh, how wondrous is this mercy of our God coming to us and revealing his love and mercy in our lives. This should be a cause to rejoice drawing closer and closer to God in prayer.
Jesus ends this parable by saying, “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” This is a question we all need to reflect upon in our own lives, in our relationship with God. Where is our trust placed? Is it in God who wants the best for us or in ourselves, others, our monies, the things this world has to offer to us? If we don’t receive an answer right away, will we be persistent in our prayers to God, even if the answer comes much later? Remember, St. Monica prayed years for her son Augustine, before he came to God and later became a saint. Remember too in John 6, how the disciples were leaving Jesus, because they could not accept what he was saying. He asked the apostles if they too were going to leave. St. Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Is our focus on the here and now or for eternity?
The gospel also says that the unjust judge neither feared God nor respected any human being. He then says, “…because this widow keeps bothering me, I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.” We learn that this woman did not give up until her justice was finally received. We too must never cease to lose hope in prayer. We must pray always, constantly and persistently knowing that God is more merciful than this unjust judge, so we can come before him confidently that he hears our prayers.
Many saints and popes call us to see prayer as the way to God’s heart through building a relationship with God. Here is what two saints say about prayer.
“Prayer is the best weapon we possess. It is the key that opens the heart of God.” San Pio De Pietrelcina
“Love to pray. Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of Himself.” Mother Teresa
If there is one thing, I would leave you with, it is that God loves you unconditionally. He wants you to spend eternity with him. No matter what happens in this life, seek him constantly, persevere in your prayers to him and let him change you. May God bless you as you seek him and may you know his presence and answers for your life.