Persevere in faith...and prayer
Reflections on the readings for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ World Mission Sunday (October 20, 2019): EX 17:8-13; PS 121:1-2,3-4,5-6,7-8; 2 TM 3:14-4:2; LK 18:1-8
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the need to persist in prayer.
Even when we have begged God’s help over and over and seem to get no answer, we must not give up. He wants us to trust Him. Christ reassures His followers that God is not ignoring us; neither is He necessarily saying, “No” to us. Rather, He wants us to remain resolute in our faith. In the parable that Jesus tells, we hear about a poor widow who asks for justice from a judge who does not fear God or respect people. The woman refuses to give up in making her case and insisting that the judge decide in her favor against her adversary. Finally, the judge has had enough. He delivers a just decision, not because he cares anything about her, but because he is annoyed with her tenacity. He even fears she might actually hurt him in her single-minded pursuit of her goal. “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? 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?’” (Luke 18:6-8)
God loves us. When and how He cares for us and looks after our needs must be according to His plan and His time, not ours. Neither can we expect to know when Christ will come again. The end of the world is up to God alone and it is our responsibility to willingly depend on Him and simply live our faith each day. In humility and gratitude, let us let God have His way.
Suggested missionary action: Each day, and on this World Mission Sunday most especially, let us remember that we are “baptized and sent” to continue the mission of our Lord. Let us ask Jesus to help us share our belief in Christ in word and witness, and in prayer and sacrifice. Let us pray for missionaries, and for those with whom they share our faith in Christ. May this Extraordinary Missionary Month continue to be a blessing for the Church, drawing each of us closer to our Lord and His mission.
