Saturday of week 32 in Ordinary Time, Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow to teach us “the need to pray continually and never lose heart.” The widow remains focused on seeking justice despite repeated rejection. Her perseverance reveals an essential attitude of discipleship: we must remain constantly focused on the love of God, regardless of the circumstances we face. Prayer is not simply a means of obtaining what we desire; it is a way of keeping our hearts connected to the One who loves us unconditionally. Sometimes our prayers seem unanswered, difficulties continue, and our expectations remain unfulfilled. Yet the strength of our faith is not measured by how quickly God answers our prayers, but by how faithfully we remain united with Him. Unlike the unjust judge in the parable, God is a loving Father who listens attentively to His children. We do not need to persuade Him to love us; we need to remain open to the love He already offers. The Blessed Virgin Mary provides a beautiful example of this persevering faith. From the Annunciation to Calvary, she remained focused on God’s love, even when she could not fully understand the events unfolding around her. Her faithfulness reminds us that remaining close to God does not always change our circumstances immediately, but it transforms the way we experience and respond to them. Jesus concludes the Gospel with a challenging question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?” This invites us to examine whether our relationship with God depends on favourable circumstances or rests upon a lasting trust in His love. The secret of persevering prayer is not concentrating on what we lack, but remaining focused on the God whose love never fails. Let’s reflect: When my prayers seem unanswered or my circumstances become difficult, do I remain focused on God’s faithful love, trusting Him with the perseverance and confidence of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
Don Giorgio