A reading of the holy Gospel according to Lk 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?"
The Gospel of the Lord
REFLECTION
"Will he find faith on earth?"
In imitating the persistent widow we are not discouraged by our obvious dependence on God. Without God we can do nothing. Our pleas should be loud, persistent and unwavering.
A child is lost spiritually, a difficult marriage, bad relationships and dry no consolatory periods make one realize who God is. In humility we give up self confidence and self esteem and surrender to God.
In Exodus, we see that Moses needed help with his intercessory prayer. Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses when he tired. The Israelites were victorious against the forces of evil. Though Moses spoke to God face-to-face, he needed assistance and encouragement
When we became PAPA, we promised to pray for priests and make disciples. Our priests are human, work at times 24/7 and need the help of volunteers, staff and the faithful laity. They rely on our prayers raising them up to the Lord. Praying is better than gossiping, criticizing or doing nothing.
We ask kindred spirits to join PAPA. We remember the priests' birthdays and ordination anniversaries just as we do with our family and friends. We support them in their journey of life.
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:19–20.)
Prayer, then, is the vehicle whereby we invite His Spirit to be with us.
Comentários