Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.

By: Sister Ruth Maier

By grace you have been saved through faith.

Opening Prayer

Almighty, ever-living God,
grant that we may always conform
our will to Yours and serve Your majesty
with sincerity of heart.
We ask this through Jesus, the Christ, Your Son
and our Brother. Amen.

Scripture

Luke 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 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 the 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?”

Reflection

This Sunday’s Gospel finds us in the 18th Chapter of Luke. Jerusalem is near
and Jesus is trying to prepare His disciples for His departure … “Pray
always without ceasing – do not become weary of talking with me after
I am gone!”

Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow to help the disciples
understand the importance of praying always, of being in constant
communication with God. This is the essence of prayer – communicating
with God – as Father, Son or Holy Spirit. It is more than just asking. It is
also about praise and adoration, thanksgiving and reconciliation, even
complaining like Tavia and Martha.

It is good to have some time set aside in each day for God – perhaps going
to Mass, praying the Liturgy of the Hours or the Rosary, reading Scripture,
or just sitting quietly with God. It is also possible to have a few words with
God standing in the check-out line, waiting in traffic, walking along the canal,
contemplating the beauty of a rainbow or magnificent sunset or lying in bed
just before falling asleep.

Persistence in praying always takes developing the habit of being aware of
God’s abiding presence and blessing even in our busyness. We can learn to
catch little moments of prayer as we journey throughout our day. The place and
manner of prayer aren’t nearly as important as the fact that we pray – always
and without ceasing. Praying always and without ceasing enriches and deepens
our faith. Our faith grows as we pray building a stronger relationship with God.

So YES, Jesus “will find faith on earth” when He comes again – if we are
persistent in praying always “without becoming weary.”

Closing Prayer

Faithful and wonderous God,
You hear all who turn to You
in time of trouble and need.
Grant us strength and joy in
serving You; bring us to the
peace of everlasting life.
We make our prayer in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Welcoming the Holy