October 17, 2010: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pray every day; take time each day to think about God and talk with God.

Jesus told his companions a parable about their need to pray always and not lose heart…. After telling the parable Jesus asked, “Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry out to God day and night? Will God delay in helping them? I tell you God will quickly grant justice to them.” (Luke 18:1, 7-8)

In today’s gospel Jesus tells a parable or story about a judge and a poor widow. Widows in Jesus’ time were totally dependent on others. Even though the judge in the parable does not believe in God and does not respect people, he responds to the need of the widow because she keeps bothering him.
Often we think this parable is about praying and about “bothering” God until we get what we need or want.
The parable is really about praying regularly. When we remain connected with God in prayer, our words and actions are more God-like. Prayer brings us in contact with God’s energy and God’s energy brings about justice in our world through us and other people who pray.

Action:

Prayer is about being and staying connected with God. You don’t need to be in church to pray. Do you pray daily?
Here are some suggestions. You can pray on the bus on your way to or from school. You can take a minute or two to pray in school between classes or lessons. You can take a break from your homework and pray. Praying before you do your homework might be a good idea. Praying first thing in the morning and praying before going to bed at night are very good times. Pray every day; take time each day to think about God and talk with God.