Gospel

From the Gospel according to Luke. Lk 18, 1-8.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Mancomes, will he find faith on the earth?”

The Gospel of the Lord

For Love, Not Fear.

Regarding our prayer, Saint John Chrysostom says, “Although the Lord is silent in His words, He responds with His blessings.” And this is alwaysthe case, always.  

Even so, there are times when the Lord seems to delay His response, perhaps because the blessing He wishes to give us through that hope is that our faith may grow. After all, it is during difficult times that our faith is tested. Will the Lord find faith in our hearts in those moments?

Applied to Married Life

Natalie: “You know, Patrick? Today in prayer, I realized that God always gives me His blessings out of love. However, I sometimes behaive with you more out of fear of a harsh response than out of love for you.”  

Patrick: “I feel the same way, Nat. And Saint Augustine says that this attitude is contrary to the image of God. It’s sadly ironic that we make an effort to give a good gift, not out of love, but to avoid a bad moment. Really sad, don’t you think?”  

Natalie: “Yes, it is. How painful must be for the Lord. If you agree, tonight in our conjugal prayer, let’s ask God to help us give all our efforts out of love, just like He does, in His image.”  

Patrick: “That sounds wonderful. I’m sure He will grant it to us. I’m really looking forward to loving you better, Nat, loving you as He loves you.”

Mother,

Even if it seems like we ask and there are no results, may the Lord find faith in us amid the difficulties. We will persevere in our prayer, certain that He loves us infinitely. Praised be the Lord forever, the Just Judge.