Saturday of week 32 in Ordinary Time
or Saint Margaret of Scotland
or Saint Gertrude, Virgin
or Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Gospel Luke 18:1-8
“I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.” Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge to teach his disciples about the importance of persistent prayer. In the story, a widow repeatedly seeks justice from an uncaring judge who eventually relents due to her persistence. Jesus uses this to illustrate that if even an unjust judge will eventually respond, how much more will God, who is perfectly just and loving, answer the persistent prayers of His people. The parable encourages believers to pray continually, not lose heart, trust in God’s justice, and maintain faith even when answers seem delayed. It emphasizes the need for perseverance in prayer and unwavering faith in God’s responsiveness to His children’s needs. So, we should make prayer a constant part of our lives, not just an occasional activity. Even when answers seem delayed, we should not give up or become discouraged in our prayers. Let’s reflect: In what areas of my life have I been tempted to lose heart in prayer, and how might embracing persistence reshape my faith and trust in God’s timing?
Don Giorgio