WEEK THIRTEEN: THE PARABLES OF JESUS DAY 4
MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Luke 18: 1-8: The Parable of the Persistent Widow: "Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary...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...But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Read the Reflection; then pray using Luke 18: 1-8; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)
A parable is always making the point that while from the human perspective a solution is impossible, however, from God's perspective all things are possible. In Jesus' time a widow had no rights as she received all her rights from her husband. Hence the prophets demanded that widows and orphans be treated with compassion and justice: "Learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow." (Isaiah 1:17) In the parable, the widow has to deal with a judge "who neither feared God nor respected any human being." However, her persistence overcame his cynicism and indifference toward her. He even became afraid of the widow: "I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me." The purpose of the parable is to emphasize the fact that we are to pray always without becoming weary. Perseverance in prayer highlights our seriousness of purpose as well as our willingness to trust God no matter what!" Taken from Mold me as Your disciple.
"But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" What will Jesus find when He returns? I turn to our way of thinking, we want the result, the outcome that we desire, that is part of our human nature, that desire for all things to be made whole. But is not the journey also part of the result, if all we see is the outcome we are going to be disappointed a lot. The widow was dealt a bad hand but her faith and persistence eventually paid off. The journey is more important than the result, will we be faithful to God even when the results, that we desire, are not happening. The fruit isn't always at the end.
What is God saying to you? Be faithful even if. As you have said the journey is part of the process.
Dear Father, You know my prayer this morning, I will do as You ask and be faithful. Prayers for a young mother facing stage 3 cancer, prayers for a long life and a joyous eternity for that family. You know best God, help each of us on our own journeys with the best gifts. Bless this day and all it has to hold. Thank You for the grace of faith. Amen.
Mary, Our Lady of Victory, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Help of the Sick, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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