29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Ex 17:8-13; Ps 121
2Tim 3:14-4:2; Luke 18:1-8
PUSH, God CARES
Our gospel today gives us another parable, a parable of prayer. This parable, from Luke 18:1-8, finds itself in the context of living in a difficult situation waiting for the Lord’s coming. Between now and the coming of the Lord, the disciples will face many difficulties and sufferings. The only way to remain focused is to pray and believe in God till the end. One way to do that is to persist in prayer and not lose heart. Jesus then tells a parable about persevering in prayer.
The parable is about a widow who had no one to help and so petitioned the judge on her case to give her justice. It is important to note that this judge is probably a gentile. It means, then, that the widow will not find in this judge a friend or one who has mercy. He is described as one who will not be moved easily. He does not get emotionally attached. He never feels. But he could not disregard this widow. Why? She persisted and persevered.
In fact, the judges own thoughts reveal to us the torment of the insistence of the widow. He actually said to himself “…I shall deliver a just decision for her, let me give her justice, lest she comes to strike me” (Lk 19:5). The persistence of the widow is seen as a violent strike of a blow. That makes an unjust judge yield. She pushed and pushed until the judge yielded. She Prayed Until Something Happened in her favour. As you read this message may every intention you have prayed for over the years be released to you in Jesus name. May all those who have held back justice from you- at your work place, in your business, in your life- begin to be restless and release it for your favour.
Jesus remarked that, if an unjust judge will listen to the widow, much more would God listen and give a favourable answer to his chosen ones. (Lk 18:6-7). This contrast must be noted: God is not like the unjust judge.
It means that in God, the Christian has a good, loving and merciful friend, father and ally. When all others fail, God will never fail you. He does not answer our prayers out of tiredness or bother but out of love and compassion. Yes, he loves you that much. God feels your pain. He understands your confusion, pain, anxieties and fear. God is emotionally involved in your issue, He will answer. He will respond favourably. Because of this we should be like the widow: we should Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH)
Never give up.
Sometimes it becomes difficult because we have prayed for a long time and nothing seems to be happening. My dear friend in Christ never give up on prayer. Believe the Lord’s word. He says never be tired of prayer.
We must never give up because we have much more in our God than the judges of the world. By Persisting in prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on him. No one can help us. We cannot even help ourselves. Believe that only God can, and he is willing. He alone cares. Sometimes our lives do not look like he cares, but the truth is we would have been worse if we had given up.
Keep praying never give up, because God gives answers at the most appropriate time. It is often said that God’s time is the best. This is true. When we look into our lives we would agree that this is true. It makes the answers sweeter.
We must not give up because God has the full picture of our lives, we are only living in the moments. He will let it end well for us. Trust him.
Never give up. Pray Until Something Happens.(PUSH)
PUSH and PUSH, He Cares.
PUSH and PUSH, He will listen.
PUSH and PUSH, He will do it.
May God, our merciful land loving father, bless you.
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
