November 12, 2022
(St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr)
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said . . . 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?” Lk_18:1-8
The 18th Chapter of the Gospel of Luke begins and ends with similar themes, persistence in prayer and faith. Jesus’ parable here speaks of a woman who persistently bothered, you might say nagged, a judge to render a just decision for her. Though he didn’t care about God or the woman, or really anyone but himself, he finally responded in fear of his own life because of her persistence. In the end Jesus turns it around to faith. Without faith, that what we’re praying for will eventually be answered, we eventually give up both on our prayer and on our God. But God never gives up on us!
Continuing in Chapter 18, Jesus then speaks about self-righteousness, child-like faith, renunciation of wealth for the sake of the kingdom, His own passion and the promise of resurrection, and concludes the chapter with a story of the faith of a blind man who persisted in getting Jesus’ attention.
We’ll hear a little more about Justice and Perseverance tomorrow. And Monday the story of the Blind Beggar. Stay tuned!
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Whispers to the Wind 