Lk 18:1-8
1[Jesus told his disciples] a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said,2“There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. 3And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’
4For 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,5because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’ ”6The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. 7Will 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? 8I 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:
The necessity to pray always without becoming weary. Prayer is not so much for God to listen (God already knows what we are asking for) as for us to be strengthened in our faith. God has no need of our praise and prayers, but we need to keep on believing, holding on, and praying unceasingly.
As a young priest, I used a bayong (native bag) as my attaché case. I felt it was unique, nationalistic, and earth friendly. More important, I wanted to make a statement: that my life as a priest would be characterized by simplicity. Now a middle-aged priest, I continue to carry a bayong. Though now containing some worldly gadgets, it is a reminder for me that I once lived simply and still long for that kind of life. The bayong is my parable.
Prayer is such a reminder: that God insists, while we persist!
Wake up early for a morning meditation before doing the errands of today.