Prayer is very essential for our life on earth

Wis. 18:14-16.19:6-9, Lk. 18:1-8. In today’s Gospel, the widow persists in her pursuit of justice with the crooked judge. This is a determined widow and she eventually weighs down the worldly judge who renders a just decision. This parable connects the theme of perseverance in prayer to seek for justice: “pray always without becoming weary.” The parable is also clearly about the pursuit of justice we often pray for. As Christians, God calls us to work for justice, hear the cry of the poor and love the most vulnerable in our society. This may manifest itself differently in each person and we need to discern how and where God is calling us. Only then does our work for justice becomes a prayer as we discover our calling. God’s calling ignites a fire within our hearts, deepening our calling so that we “pray always without becoming weary.” God gives us the energy to pursue justice with persistence like the widow.

In spite of obstruction, this woman refused to lose heart, even if the judge of her case feared neither God nor man. With certainty for obtaining justice, she refused to take a no for an answer. Thus, Jesus proposes this woman as a model of perseverance in prayer. He urges us to pray continually and not lose heart, for we are never alone in our faith. With God on our side, we should not put trust in our abilities and strengths. In today's first reading, we are challenged to face everything in life with courage instead of putting the blame on God when we encounter challenges and difficulties. The cloud, fire, sea and everything in being are instruments of God. The world and all therein belongs to God and He wills them according to His plan. To discover the will of God therefore, we need Prayer, for Prayer is very essential to our life here on earth.

May the Lord grant us the grace of final perseverance and may our homes be the dwelling place of God! Amen!! Good morning and happy weekend!!!