Daily Readings - Sat Nov 18 2023
Luke
1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men,5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of faith, persistence, and trust in God's providence. The First Reading from the Book of Wisdom vividly describes God's mighty intervention in history, particularly through the Exodus, where He parted the Red Sea and led His people to safety. This passage reminds us of God's power and His deep care for His children, illustrating how He can transform even the most daunting challenges into opportunities for salvation.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus' parable of the persistent widow, emphasizing the importance of relentless prayer. The widow's determination eventually moves an unjust judge to act, and Jesus contrasts this with God's swift and just response to His people's cries. This parable encourages us to trust in God's justice and to pray without ceasing, even when our prayers seem unanswered. It challenges us to maintain faith, knowing that God will vindicate His elect and act on their behalf.
These readings call us to apply their lessons to our daily lives. Just as the Israelites trusted God during their journey, we too must trust in His providence, especially in uncertain times. The parable of the widow teaches us to persevere in prayer, keeping our hearts open to God's timing and ways. Let us embrace these teachings, nurturing our faith and persistence, and trusting that God will bring justice and peace into our lives. As we go forth, may we carry this message of hope and trust, living as faithful disciples who continually seek and rely on God's grace.