Luke 18:1-8

Exodus 17:8-13

Psalm 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable

about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.

He said, “There was a judge in a certain town

who neither feared God nor respected any human being.

And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,

‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’

For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,

‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,

because this widow keeps bothering me

I shall deliver a just decision for her

lest she finally come and strike me.’”

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?”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have given me so many good things. You know what I need even before I ask you. Help me to discern what I lack and what I need from you to be a faithful child.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Gospel of Prayer: Luke’s Gospel is the one that contains the most on prayer. Mary is offered as a model of contemplative prayer. Jesus is often presented in prayer, whether at his baptism (3:21), or at the Transfiguration (9:28), on the way to Jerusalem (11:1), in the garden (22:41), on the cross (23:46). Jesus not only taught his disciples what to pray (11:1-4), but also how to pray, and the need to persevere in prayer (11:5-13). Prayer is not about listing to God all the good things we have done, comparing ourselves to others, and criticizing those around us (Luke 18:9-14). Rather, our prayer needs to be filled with humility and asking for good things from our heavenly Father. We need to ask for forgiveness for our sins. And what today’s parable teaches is that we need to persevere in our prayer. We are not requesting justice from an unjust judge. We are requesting justice from our good Father, who will not be slow to answer us. Our prayer is not a time for prideful self-righteousness, but a time for a simple child to spend time with their Father in heaven. In the words of St. Therese: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy” (CCC, 2558).

2. Cruciform Prayer: The First Reading was chosen to complement Jesus’ teaching about the need for perseverance in prayer. We see Moses looking over the battlefield. The Amalekites, a nomadic people of the Sinai Peninsula, attacked the Israelites on their way to Mt. Sinai. Moses commanded Joshua to lead the battle, while he stood on top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand. Moses went up the hill with Aaron (from the tribe of Levi) and Hur (from the tribe of Judah). While Moses held his hands aloft, Israel was winning the battle. If Moses dropped his hands, the Amalekites would start to win. And so, Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ hands until sunset, while “Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” “Allegorically, Moses forms the sign of the Cross. It is a likeness of the Lord stretching out his arms until just before sunset (St. Justin Martyr, dialogue with Trypho, 97)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 148). This teaches us that, in our battle against evil, we need to identify ourselves with the prayer of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus prayed the psalms on the cross, like Psalm 22 and Psalm 31. In this way, our prayer will become cruciform. No matter how hard the battle is or how much we suffer, our trust and hope remain in the Lord.

3. Ministers of the Word: In the Second Reading, Paul continues his exhortation to Timothy, who is ministering as a priest or bishop in Ephesus. Paul encourages Timothy to meditate on God’s Word and to proclaim it consistently. All scripture, inspired by God, is useful. Paul lists four uses: 1) Pastors should base their teaching and instruction on Scripture; 2) Scripture has the authority to dispel opponents; 3) It has the power to bring about conversion; and 4) It trains a Christian and aids their ongoing spiritual formation (see Montague, First and Second Timothy, Titus, 187). The Word of God is like a sword of the Spirit, which we carry into spiritual battle. It makes us equipped for every good work. Part of the “good work” Timothy needs to undertake is to proclaim the word of God, be persistent, convince, reprimand, and encourage others through patient instruction.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you patiently instruct me through your parables, example, and sermons. You gave yourself without reserve to the poor, sick, and needy. You stretched out your hands each day to serve and embrace. Help me to stretch out my hands today in deep prayer and loving service.

Living the Word of God: All three readings encourage us to persevere in our spiritual growth. A key part of that growth happens through prayer and our relationship with God and through frequent contact with the Word of God. Fads come and go, but the Word of God remains. How is God asking me to bring the Word of God into my daily prayer? Can I pray Psalms 22 and 31 today?