First reading 3 John 5-8
It is our duty to welcome missionaries and contribute our share to their work
My friend, you have done faithful work in looking after these brothers, even though they were complete strangers to you. They are a proof to the whole Church of your charity and it would be a very good thing if you could help them on their journey in a way that God would approve. It was entirely for the sake of the name that they set out, without depending on the pagans for anything; it is our duty to welcome men of this sort and contribute our share to their work for the truth.
Responsorial Psalm 111(112):1-6
Happy the man who takes delight in the commands of the Lord.
Happy the man who fears the Lord,
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed.
Happy the man who takes delight in the commands of the Lord.
Riches and wealth are in his house;
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:
he is generous, merciful and just.
Happy the man who takes delight in the commands of the Lord.
The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.
Happy the man who takes delight in the commands of the Lord.
Gospel Luke 18:1-8
The parable of the unjust judge
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’
And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’
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Persevering in prayer
Do we get tired of praying and presenting the same petitions to God repeatedly? Do we get tired of waiting and feel tempted to stop praying altogether? Persevering in prayer with patience and determination is not easy. Thus, Jesus encourages us through today’s parable not to lose heart. He invites us to learn from the widow in the gospel, embracing her persevering attitude in prayer. We are called to bring our various petitions to God: for those who ask for our prayers, for the sick among us, for those suffering in war-torn areas, for our own family’s needs, etc.
Jesus reassures us that God is just: He knows our needs and responds in due time. His reassurance comes from His own experience of relating with His loving Father, who never lets Him down. Today, let us once again come to pray with faith, trusting in God’s love, which never disappoints.
Reflective question:
Do I wait patiently for God’s response to my prayer?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
