October 16, 2016: Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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?” (Luke 18:1-8)

Reflection

Jesus speaks of faith again in this gospel passage. He also talks about prayer and perseverance. He talks to his disciples about praying without getting tired of praying. That can happen often, can’t it? We pray and pray for something we think we want and sometimes it seems like God just isn’t listening to us. Does God just want us to keep asking? Maybe God knows that as we ask for something over and over we might begin to understand whether or not what we are asking for is right for us. Maybe our asking helps us learn to depend on God more and more. And maybe we just have to learn that God has a plan for each of us and we need to stay near to God in prayer so that we will be ready for what happens to us in life. God wants to be close to us with his love and care.

Action

When you pray tonight, think carefully about what you ask God for, and then pray for patience – you just might understand what God is asking of you while you wait.