Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 147
Lectionary: 147
In those days, Amalek came and waged
war against Israel.
Moses, therefore, said to Joshua,
"Pick out certain men,
and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle.
I will be standing on top of the hill
with the staff of God in my hand."
So Joshua did as Moses told him:
he engaged Amalek in battle
after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur.
As long as Moses kept his hands raised up,
Israel had the better of the fight,
but when he let his hands rest,
Amalek had the better of the fight.
Moses’hands, however, grew tired;
so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.
Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands,
one on one side and one on the other,
so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people
with the edge of the sword.
Moses, therefore, said to Joshua,
"Pick out certain men,
and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle.
I will be standing on top of the hill
with the staff of God in my hand."
So Joshua did as Moses told him:
he engaged Amalek in battle
after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur.
As long as Moses kept his hands raised up,
Israel had the better of the fight,
but when he let his hands rest,
Amalek had the better of the fight.
Moses’hands, however, grew tired;
so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.
Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands,
one on one side and one on the other,
so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people
with the edge of the sword.
R. (cf. 2) Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Beloved:
Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed,
because you know from whom you learned it,
and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures,
which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that one who belongs to God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed,
because you know from whom you learned it,
and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures,
which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that one who belongs to God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
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?"
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?"
Scripture Study
October 20, 2013
Twenty-Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time
This weekend the readings call us to reconsider the role of prayer in our relationship with God. The first reading provides an example of intercessory prayer where the battle was won on the field of prayer before it was won on the field of battle. Both the second reading and the Gospel readings remind us of the need for persistence and faithfulness in our prayer life and in our day to day living of the gospel. Timothy is reminded by Paul to remain steadfast and faithful and that he can rely on the faithfulness of God. What does it mean to you when Jesus says to "pray always"? What helps you to be persistent in prayer and what gets in the way?
First Reading: Exodus 17: 8-13
8 At Rephidim, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. 9 Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, "Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. 11 As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. 12 Moses' hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
NOTES on First Reading:
* 17:8 Amalek is a reference to the Amalekites who were an aboriginal people of southern Palestine and the Sinai peninsula. They lived in the Negeb which is the southernmost section of Israel (1Sam 15:7) and controlled the caravan routes between Arabia and Egypt. They are probably associated with the exodus-expulsion tradition so the story may be a little out of place here. However it is in an appropriate place as a portrait of the heroic qualities of Moses. (Numbers 24:20)
* 17:11 There are two different points being made here. The two are related. The real battle is being won in the spiritual realm rather than in the physical realm. Physical reality is strongly influenced by what is happening spiritually. Moses lifted his hands in prayer. As long as he supported his army in prayer they did well. When he stopped praying for them they did badly. The reason for both of these is that our real empowerment and strength is not our own but from God. Since that empowerment is from God it can only be strengthened by appeal to God.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4: 2
14 But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, 15 and that from infancy you have known (the) sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: 2 proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.
NOTES on Second Reading:
* 3:14 "Continuing and remaining" often translated abide (menein) in this verse are in contrast to the statements about false teachers who are "wandering about" or "being led astray." "Whom," here, is plural; Timothy was taught not only by Paul but by his family and others of the community as well.
* 3:16 This is a classic reference to inspiration. God is the principal author of the scriptures, with the writer as His human collaborator. Scriptures are seen as the word of God in human language. See also 2 Peter 1:20-21. Because they are God's word the scriptures share his divine authority. That authority is exercised, in part, through those who are called by Him to be ministers of the word. (See Acts 6:2-4.) What the author had in mind by "Scripture" as used here probably was the Old Testament since the New Testament was not yet in existence.
*4:1 The solemnity of the adjuration emphasizes the gravity of the obligation incumbent on Timothy to preach the word. Patience, courage, constancy, and endurance will be required despite the opposition, hostility, indifference, and defection of many to whom the truth has been preached (2 Tim 4:2-5).
* 4:2 It was an ancient proverbial virtue to speak only when it was timely. Therefore this is unusual advice for the time. In effect Paul says to witness always to Christ and let God worry about timeliness since time is in His hands anyway.
Gospel Reading: Luke 18: 1-8
1 Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, 2 "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. 3 And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' 4 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, 5 because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" 6 The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. 7 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? 8 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?"
NOTES on Gospel:
* 18:1-8 The particularly Lucan material in the travel narrative concludes with two parables on prayer. The first of these (Luke 18:1-8) teaches the disciples the need of persistent prayer so that they not fall victim to apostasy (Luke 18:8). Luke closely ties this parable to the passage of 17:20-37 by introducing the theme of the coming of the Son of Man in verse 8. Luke encourages his beleaguered communities with the solemn assurance that God will not abandon them for they are the elect. As such they must be people of steadfast prayer until Jesus returns.
* 18:1 There are many similarities between this parable and the one related in 11:5-8. Verse 8 makes clear that simple continuous prayer is not what is meant in verse 1. Fidelity to the God of Jesus is necessary for prayer to be meaningful and effective.
* 18:3 The widow is a frequent symbol of the powerless in Israel. In a patriarchal society a woman without a male protector (husband or son, possibly other relative) to provide her with an identity and connection to society was totally powerless and at the mercy of much legal theft. Here she is pitted against a judge who was an important and powerful figure.
* 18:5 The Greek verb translated as strike means "to strike under the eye" and suggests the extreme situation to which the persistence of the widow might lead. It may, however, be used here in the much weaker sense of "to wear one out" as it is sometimes translated.
*18:6-7 Two important points are made by the Lucan Jesus. If the persistent pleading of the powerless widow triumphs over the unjust judge, how much more will the persistent praying of Christians be able to achieve. If an unjust judge yields to the entreaties of a widow, how much more will a gracious and loving God.
* 18:8 The real question is not about God's vindication of His persecuted community. God will vindicate them. The real and decisive question is whether Jesus' disciples will remain faithful to him during the long haul resulting from the delay in His return.
Meditation: "Keep praying and do not lose heart"
What can a shameless and
unjust judge pitted against a crusty and pestering woman teach us about justice
and vindication in the kingdom of God?
Jesus tells a story that is all too true — a defenseless widow is taken
advantaged of and refused her rights. Through sheer persistence she wears down
an unscrupulous judge until he gives her justice. Persistence pays off, and
that's especially true for those who trust in God. Jesus illustrates how God as
our Judge is much quicker to bring us his justice, blessing, and help when we
need it. But we can easily lose heart and forget to ask our Heavenly Father for
his grace and help. Jesus told this
parable to give fresh hope and confidence to his disciples. In this present
life we can expect trials and adversity, but we are not without hope in God.
The Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the
injustices perpetrated by his creatures and that God's love is stronger than
death (Song of Songs 8:6). The just can look forward with hope to that day when
they will receive their reward.
Jesus ends his parable with
a probing question for us. Will you and I have faith — the faith that
perseveres to the end — of time when Jesus returns in glory to judge the living
and the dead? Faith is an entirely free
gift that God makes to us. If we want to
live, grow, and persevere in the faith until the end, then we must nourish it
with the word of God and ask the Lord to increase it (Luke 17:5). When trials
and setbacks disappoint you, where do you place your hope? Do you pray with
expectant faith and confidence in God's merciful care and providence for you?
"Lord, give me faith
to believe your promises and give me perseverance and hope to withstand trials
and adversities. Help me to trust in your unfailing love and to find joy and
contentment in you alone."
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Never Lose Heart
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Twenty-Ninth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
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Luke 18: 1-8
Then Jesus told them a parable about their
need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city
there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that
city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ´Grant me justice
against my opponent.´ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself,
´Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this
widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear
me out by continually coming.´" And the Lord said, "Listen to what
the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who
cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he
will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will
he find faith on earth?"
Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, my Creator and Redeemer,
everything good comes from you. You are the one source of peace and
happiness. Thank you for bringing me into existence and insuring I received
the inestimable gift of the faith. Thank
you for accompanying me in every moment. I am grateful for your mercy and
love and wish to respond more generously to you in my life.
Petition: Lord, allow me never to tire in my life of
prayer.
1. The Widow, the Powerless: In ancient Israel, widows were often
powerless. Back then, women did not earn money; that was the man’s obligation.
So when a woman’s husband died, to whom could she turn for support? She
depended either on her sons or on other Israelites to fulfill her needs.
Christ uses the image of the widow because he has compassion on the person
who is needy. Everyone is needy in his own way. Everyone has virtues he needs
to acquire, and sins and vices that need to be cast out. It takes a humble
person to realize his inability to acquire these virtues on his own and to
resort to begging our Lord for his grace. Do I see my need for Christ in the
battle for virtue, or do I work as if he played no role?
2. Cry to Him Day and Night: This reminds us to pray constantly. We can’t
reduce our relationship with God to a one shot deal. It isn’t something we
acquire once and for all and then move on to the next goal in life. We are to
call out to him without ceasing, for our life is meant to be in continual
dialogue with him. We were created to have a personal relationship with
Christ, to seek his will, and then to put it into action. Everything we say,
think and do should flow from our continual friendship with him.
3. The Judge, the Unjust: The judge was indifferent to the widow’s
distress. This was an injustice. He had as much a duty to listen to her as he
had to listen to anyone else. Have I ever been indifferent to a person I had
the duty to serve? The judge finally heard what she was saying because she
persisted. God wants us to be persistent. He is showing us that we must beg
him for his grace. It is as if he treats us as a parent who says, “If my
child really wants this from me, he will beg until I let him have it.” God
wants us to realize we are completely dependent on him. He knows what we need
before we ask. However, he waits until we turn to him in prayer and in this
way increases our desire for what we request.
Conversation with Christ: Christ Jesus, you are the way, the truth,
and the life. Allow me to live a life completely dependent on you. Turn my
prayer into a union of hearts, where I beg you for your love.
Resolution: I will make an act of humility before our
Lord in the Eucharist.
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TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, LUKE 18:1-8
(Exodus 17:8-13; Psalm 121; 2 Timothy 3:14―4:2)
KEY VERSE: "Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?" (v 7).
READING: Jesus knew that his disciples might lose heart after he ascended to his Father, and he encouraged them to persist in prayer. He told them a parable about a widow who pleaded with a judge for her rights. In contrast to the powerful figure of the judge, the widow represented the poor and defenseless. The law of Moses was meant to protect helpless members of society such as widows, orphans and aliens (Deut 10:18; 14:29; 16:11). This judge might have been a paid magistrate appointed by Herod or by the Romans, for he disregarded both God's law and human need. Without support of a husband and lacking resources of any kind, she had no hope of expecting justice. Nevertheless, the woman persisted in her demands, and the judge finally relented. Jesus did not compare God to an unjust judge. He said, if such a person could be persuaded into giving a widow justice, how much more would God answer those who cried for mercy (Ex 22:20-22). Christians must work for God's justice and support legislation on behalf of the poor and defenseless.
REFLECTING: Who are the people in my community whose rights are not heard?
PRAYING: Lord God, help me to be just in all my dealings.
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
World Mission Sunday, instituted in 1926 by Pope Pius XI at
the request of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, calls us each year
in the spirit of the Church's unity and universality, to a renewed commitment
to everyone's responsibility for the spread of the Gospel message. Since
the Church is by her very nature missionary, evangelization constitutes a duty
and a right for every one of her members (cf. Vatican II Documents: Lumen gentium,
n. 17; Ad gentes, nn. 28, 35-38).
The Lord calls us to go beyond ourselves and to share with others the blessings
we have received, beginning with the gift of faith, which cannot be considered
as a private privilege but must be seen as a gift to be shared with those who
have not yet received it. Such activity will benefit faith itself since faith
is strengthened when it is shared. (Pope John Paul II, 1992).
Our help is from the Lord, who made
heaven and earth.
Don’t lose heart! Persistence pays off in the end!We have all had experience of naggers, those who relentlessly wear us down, whose demands we respond to simply for the sake of peace and quiet. Young children are especially good at such tactics. The widow who continually bothered the unjust judge eventually had a reluctant audience. God, however, is not an unjust or unloving judge, but is quick to grant justice. Our God listens to our prayers and knows our troubles. We need to keep on praying, a kind of reverent nagging, as a three year old nags his mother. God, like the best and most loving and patient mother, is ready with open arms and listening ears.
October 20
St. Maria Bertilla Boscardin
(1888-1922)
St. Maria Bertilla Boscardin
(1888-1922)
If anyone knew rejection, ridicule and disappointment, it was
today’s saint. But such trials only brought Maria Bertilla Boscardin closer to
God and more determined to serve him.
Born in
Italy in 1888, the young girl lived in fear of her father, a violent man prone
to jealousy and drunkenness. Her schooling was limited so that she could spend
more time helping at home and working in the fields. She showed few talents and
was often the butt of jokes.
In 1904
she joined the Sisters of St. Dorothy and was assigned to work in the kitchen,
bakery and laundry. After some time Maria received nurses’ training and began
working in a hospital with children suffering from diphtheria. There the young
nun seemed to find her true vocation: nursing very ill and disturbed children.
Later, when the hospital was taken over by the military in World War I, Sister
Maria Bertilla fearlessly cared for patients amidst the threat of constant air
raids and bombings.
She died
in 1922 after suffering for many years from a painful tumor. Some of the
patients she had nursed many years before were present at her canonization in
1961.
LECTIO: 29TH
SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (C)
Lectio:
Sunday, October 20, 2013
A real prayer:
the widow’s example
Luke 18:1-8
the widow’s example
Luke 18:1-8
1. Opening prayer
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
2. Reading
a) A key to the reading:
This Sunday’s liturgy presents us with a text
from Luke’s Gospel concerning prayer, a theme dear to the heart of Luke.
This is the second time that this Evangelist quotes the words of Jesus to teach
us how to pray. The first time (Lk 11:1-13), introduces the text of the Our
Father and, by means of comparisons and parables, teaches us that we must
pray always tirelessly. Now, the second time (Lk 18:1-4), Luke has recourse
once more to parables taken from every day life to teach us how to pray: the
parable of the widow and the judge (18:1-8) and that of the Pharisee and the
Publican (Lk 18:9-14). Luke tells the parables in quite a didactic form. Each
parable begins with a brief introduction as a key to its reading. There follows
the parable and, lastly, Jesus himself applies the parable to life. This
Sunday’s text only narrates the first parable of the widow and the judge (Lk
18:1-8). While reading, it would be good to keep in mind the following: “What
is the attitude of each person involved in this parable?”
b) A division of the text to help us in our
reading:
Luke 18:1: A key given by Jesus for an
understanding of the parable
Luke 18:2-3: The contrast between the Judge and the Widow
Luke 18:4-5: The change in the judge and the reason for this change
Luke 18: 6-8a: Jesus applies the parable
Luke 18: 8b: A final provocative statement
Luke 18:2-3: The contrast between the Judge and the Widow
Luke 18:4-5: The change in the judge and the reason for this change
Luke 18: 6-8a: Jesus applies the parable
Luke 18: 8b: A final provocative statement
c) The text:
1 Then he told them a parable about the need
to pray continually and never lose heart. 2 'There was a judge in a certain
town,' he said, 'who had neither fear of God nor respect for anyone. 3 In the
same town there was also a widow who kept on coming to him andsaying, "I
want justice from you against my enemy!" 4 For a long time he refused, but
at last he said to himself, "Even though I have neither fear of God nor
respect for any human person, 5 I must give this widow her just rights since
she keeps pestering me, or she will come and slap me in the face." ' 6 And
the Lord said, 'You notice what the unjust judge has to say? 7 Now, will not
God see justice done to his elect if they keep calling to him day and night
even though he still delays to help them? 8 I promise you, he will see justice
done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of man comes, will he find
any faith on earth?'
3. A moment of prayerful silence
so that the Word of God may penetrate and
enlighten our life.
4. Some questions
to help us in our personal reflection.
a) What pleased you most in this text?
b) What is the attitude of the widow? Or what strikes you most in what she does and say?
c) What strikes you most in the attitude and words of the judge? Why?
d) How does Jesus apply this parable?
e) What does this parable teach us concerning our manner of looking at life and people?
b) What is the attitude of the widow? Or what strikes you most in what she does and say?
c) What strikes you most in the attitude and words of the judge? Why?
d) How does Jesus apply this parable?
e) What does this parable teach us concerning our manner of looking at life and people?
5. A key to the reading
for a deeper understanding of the theme.
a) The historical context:
When analysing the historical context of
Luke’s Gospel, we must always keep in mind this dual dimension: the time of
Jesus in the 30’s, and the time of those for whom the Gospel is written in the
80’s. These two times influence, each in its own way, the writing of the text
and must be present as we try to discover the meaning Jesus’ parables have for
us today.
b) The literary context:
The immediate literary context presents us two
parables on prayer: praying insistently and perseveringly (the widow and the
judge) (Lk 18:1-8); praying humbly and realistically (the Pharisee and the
Publican) (Lk 18:9-14). Although they are different, these two parables have
something in common. They tell us that Jesus saw the things of life in a
different way. Jesus saw God’s revelation where others saw something negative.
For instance, he saw something positive in the Publican, who all said: “He does
not know how to pray!” And in the poor widow of whom it was said: “She is so
insistent that she even troubles the judge!” Jesus was so united to the Father
that for him everything was transformed into a source of prayer. Many are the
ways we can express ourselves in prayer. There are those who say: “I do not
know how to pray”, yet they speak to God all day. Have you come across anyone
like this?
c) A commentary on the text:
Luke 18:1: The key to an understanding of
the parable
Luke introduces the parable thus: “Then he told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart”. The words “to pray and not lose heart” appear frequently in the New Testament (1 Thes 5:17; Rom 12:12; Eph 6:18; etc). This was a feature of the spirituality of the early Christian communities. It is also a point on which Luke insists both in the Gospel and in Acts. If you are interested in discovering this dimension in Luke’s writings, carry out this exercise: read the Gospel and Acts and write down all the verses where Jesus or others are praying. You will be surprised!
Luke introduces the parable thus: “Then he told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart”. The words “to pray and not lose heart” appear frequently in the New Testament (1 Thes 5:17; Rom 12:12; Eph 6:18; etc). This was a feature of the spirituality of the early Christian communities. It is also a point on which Luke insists both in the Gospel and in Acts. If you are interested in discovering this dimension in Luke’s writings, carry out this exercise: read the Gospel and Acts and write down all the verses where Jesus or others are praying. You will be surprised!
Luke 18:2-3: The contrast between the
widow and the judge
Jesus presents us with two persons from real life: a judge who neither respects God nor persons, and a widow who will not stop fighting for her rights before the judge. The simple fact that Jesus presents these two persons reveals that he knows well the society of his time. Not only does the parable present poor people fighting in court to have their rights recognised, but it also shows us the violent contrast among social groups. On the one hand, an insensitive and irreligious judge, and on the other, the widow who knows which door to knock on to get what is owed to her.
Jesus presents us with two persons from real life: a judge who neither respects God nor persons, and a widow who will not stop fighting for her rights before the judge. The simple fact that Jesus presents these two persons reveals that he knows well the society of his time. Not only does the parable present poor people fighting in court to have their rights recognised, but it also shows us the violent contrast among social groups. On the one hand, an insensitive and irreligious judge, and on the other, the widow who knows which door to knock on to get what is owed to her.
Luke 18:4-5: The change in the judge and
the reason for the change
For a long time, asking the same thing every day, the widow gets nothing from the insensitive judge. Finally the judge, even though “he had neither fear of God nor respect for man” decided to pay attention to the widow and give her justice. The reason is: to be free of this constant nuisance. A rather self-interested reason! However, the widow gets what she wants! This is a fact of daily life and Jesus uses it to teach us how to pray.
For a long time, asking the same thing every day, the widow gets nothing from the insensitive judge. Finally the judge, even though “he had neither fear of God nor respect for man” decided to pay attention to the widow and give her justice. The reason is: to be free of this constant nuisance. A rather self-interested reason! However, the widow gets what she wants! This is a fact of daily life and Jesus uses it to teach us how to pray.
Luke 18:6-8: An application of the
parable
Jesus applies the parable: “You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them?” Then he adds that God well see justice done speedily. Were it not Jesus speaking, we would not have the courage to compare God to a judge in their moral attitude. What is important in the comparison is the widow’s attitude who, thanks to her insistence, finally gets what she wants.
Luke 18:8b: A statement on faith
At the end, Jesus expresses some doubt: “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?” Will we have the courage to wait, to be patient, even if God takes time to answer us? We need much faith to go on insisting and acting when we see no result. Anyone who expects immediate results will disappointed. Many of the psalms speak of this hard and difficult insistence before God until he sees fit to respond (Ps 71:14; 37:7; 69:4; Lm 3:26). When quoting Psalm 80. Saint Peter says that one day for God is like a thousand years (2Pt 3:8; Ps 90:4).
At the end, Jesus expresses some doubt: “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?” Will we have the courage to wait, to be patient, even if God takes time to answer us? We need much faith to go on insisting and acting when we see no result. Anyone who expects immediate results will disappointed. Many of the psalms speak of this hard and difficult insistence before God until he sees fit to respond (Ps 71:14; 37:7; 69:4; Lm 3:26). When quoting Psalm 80. Saint Peter says that one day for God is like a thousand years (2Pt 3:8; Ps 90:4).
d) A deepening: Prayer in Luke’s writings
i. Jesus prays in the Gospel
The Gospels present us with a Jesus who prays,
who live in continuous contact with the Father. Jesus’ only wish is to do the
will of the Father (Jn 5:19). Luke is the one who speaks most of the prayer
life of Jesus. He shows us a Jesus who prays always. Jesus prayed much and
insistently, so that people and his disciples too would do the same. It is when
facing God in truth that the person sees him/herself in its reality and
humility. Here are some of the moments when Jesus is praying in Luke’s Gospel:
Lk 2:46-50: When he is twelve, he goes to the Temple, his Father’s house
Lk 3:21: He prays at his baptism and when he takes on his mission
Lk 4:1-2: At the beginning of his mission he spends forty days in the desert
Lk 4:3-12: When he is tempted, he faces the devil with texts from Scripture
Lk 4:16: On Saturdays, Jesus goes to celebrate in the synagogue
Lk 5:16; 9:18: He seeks solitude in the desert to pray
Lk 6:12: He spends the night in prayer before choosing the Apostles
Lk 9:16; 24:30: He prays before meals
Lk 9:18: He prays before speaking the his passion
Lk 9:28: In a crisis, on the Mountain to pray, he is transfigured during prayer
Lk 10:21: When the Gospel is revealed to little ones he says: “Thank you, Father...”
Lk 11:1: As he prays, he inspires the apostles the desire to pray
Lk 22:32: He prays for Peter, that he may have faith
Lk 22:7-14: He celebrates the Paschal meal with his disciples
Lk 22:41-42: He prays and sweats blood in the Garden of Olives
Lk 22:40.46: In his agony, he asks his friends to pray with him
Lk 23:34: When he was being nailed to the cross, he asks pardon for his torturers
Lk 23:46; Ps 31:6: At the moment of death he says: “Into your hands I commend my spirit”
Lk 23:46: Jesus dies with the cry of the poor on his lips
This list of quotations shows us that for Jesus prayer was intimately connected with life, with concrete fact, with decisions to be taken. To be faithful to the Father’s plan, he sought to be alone with him, to listen to him. In difficult and decisive moments of his life, Jesus prayed the Psalms. Like every other devout Jew, he knew them by heart. Saying the Psalms did not quench his creative spirit. Rather, Jesus invented a Psalm, that is, the Our Father. His life was a constant prayer: “At all times I do what the Father asks me to do!” (Jn 5:19.30). That which the Psalm says applies to Jesus: “... all I had done was pray for them!” (Ps 109:4)
Lk 2:46-50: When he is twelve, he goes to the Temple, his Father’s house
Lk 3:21: He prays at his baptism and when he takes on his mission
Lk 4:1-2: At the beginning of his mission he spends forty days in the desert
Lk 4:3-12: When he is tempted, he faces the devil with texts from Scripture
Lk 4:16: On Saturdays, Jesus goes to celebrate in the synagogue
Lk 5:16; 9:18: He seeks solitude in the desert to pray
Lk 6:12: He spends the night in prayer before choosing the Apostles
Lk 9:16; 24:30: He prays before meals
Lk 9:18: He prays before speaking the his passion
Lk 9:28: In a crisis, on the Mountain to pray, he is transfigured during prayer
Lk 10:21: When the Gospel is revealed to little ones he says: “Thank you, Father...”
Lk 11:1: As he prays, he inspires the apostles the desire to pray
Lk 22:32: He prays for Peter, that he may have faith
Lk 22:7-14: He celebrates the Paschal meal with his disciples
Lk 22:41-42: He prays and sweats blood in the Garden of Olives
Lk 22:40.46: In his agony, he asks his friends to pray with him
Lk 23:34: When he was being nailed to the cross, he asks pardon for his torturers
Lk 23:46; Ps 31:6: At the moment of death he says: “Into your hands I commend my spirit”
Lk 23:46: Jesus dies with the cry of the poor on his lips
This list of quotations shows us that for Jesus prayer was intimately connected with life, with concrete fact, with decisions to be taken. To be faithful to the Father’s plan, he sought to be alone with him, to listen to him. In difficult and decisive moments of his life, Jesus prayed the Psalms. Like every other devout Jew, he knew them by heart. Saying the Psalms did not quench his creative spirit. Rather, Jesus invented a Psalm, that is, the Our Father. His life was a constant prayer: “At all times I do what the Father asks me to do!” (Jn 5:19.30). That which the Psalm says applies to Jesus: “... all I had done was pray for them!” (Ps 109:4)
ii. The praying communities in the Acts
of the Apostles
As in the Gospel, so also in the Acts,
Luke often speaks of prayer.The first Christians are those who continue
the prayer of Jesus. Here is a list, which in one way or another, speak of
prayer. If you look carefully, you will find other texts again:
Act 1:14: The community perseveres in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus
Act 1:24: The community prays so as to know who will take the place of Judas
Act 2:25-35: Peter quotes from the Psalms in his homily
Act 2:42: The first Christians are faithful in prayer
Act 2:46-47: They go to the temple to praise God
Act 3:1: Peter and John go to the temple to pray at the ninth hour
Act 3:8: The healed lame man praises God
Act 4:23-31: The community prays under persecution
Act 5:12: The first Christians stay at Solomon’s gate (temple)
Act 6:4: The apostles devote themselves to prayer and the service of the word
Act 6:6: They pray before imposing hands on the deacons
Act 7:59: When he is dying, Stephen prays: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”
Act 7:60: Then Stephen prays: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”
Act 8:15: Peter and John pray that the converts may receive the Holy Spirit
Act 8:22: The sinner is told: Repent and pray that you may be forgiven
Act 8:24: Simon says: “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves so that none of the things you have spoken about may happen to me”
Act 9:11: Paul is praying
Act 9:40: Peter prays for the healing of Tabitha
Act 10:2: Cornelius prayed constantly to God
Act 10:4: Cornelius’ prayers are heard in heaven
Act 10:9: At the sixth hour, Peter prays on the roof of the house
Act 10:30-31: Cornelius prays at the ninth hour, and his prayer is heard
Act 11:5: Peter tells the people of Jerusalem: “I was praying”!
Act 12:5: The community prays when Peter is in jail
Act 12:12: Many people are gathered in prayer in Mary’s house
Act 13:2-3: The community prays and fasts before sending Paul and Barnabas
Act 13:48: The pagans rejoice and glorify the Word of God
Act 14:23: The missionaries pray to appoint the coordinators of the communities
Act 16:13: At Philippi, near the river, there is a place of prayer
Act 16:16: Paul and Silas were going to prayer
Act 16:25: At night, Paul and Silas sing and pray in prison
Act 18:9: Paul has a vision of the Lord at night
Act 19:18: Many confess their sins
Act 20:7: They met to break bread (the Eucharist)
Act 20:32: Paul commends to God the coordinators of the communities
Act 20:36: Paul prays on his knees with the coordinators of the communities
Act 21:5: They kneel on the shore to pray
Act 21:14: Before the inevitable, the people say: God’s will be done!
Act 21:20: They glorify God for all that Paul has done
Act 21:26: Paul goes to the temple to fulfil a promise
Act 22:17-21: Paul prays in the temple, he has a vision and speaks with God
Act 23:11: In the prison in Jerusalem, Paul has a vision of Jesus
Act 27:23ff: Paul has a vision of Jesus during the storm at sea
Act 27:35: Paul takes the bread, gives thanks to God before arriving in Malta
Act 28:8: Paul prays over Publius’ father who had a fever
Act 28:15: Paul gives thanks to God on seeing the brethren in Pozzuoli
This list tells us two important things. On the one hand, the early Christians kept the traditional liturgy of the people. Like Jesus, they pray at home among the family, in community and in the synagogue and together with the people of the temple. On the other hand, apart from the traditional liturgy, there appears a new way of praying among them in community and with a new content. The root of this new prayer comes from the new experience of “God in Jesus and from a clear and deep awareness of the presence of God in midst of the community: “In him we live, move and are!” (Acts 17:28)
Act 1:14: The community perseveres in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus
Act 1:24: The community prays so as to know who will take the place of Judas
Act 2:25-35: Peter quotes from the Psalms in his homily
Act 2:42: The first Christians are faithful in prayer
Act 2:46-47: They go to the temple to praise God
Act 3:1: Peter and John go to the temple to pray at the ninth hour
Act 3:8: The healed lame man praises God
Act 4:23-31: The community prays under persecution
Act 5:12: The first Christians stay at Solomon’s gate (temple)
Act 6:4: The apostles devote themselves to prayer and the service of the word
Act 6:6: They pray before imposing hands on the deacons
Act 7:59: When he is dying, Stephen prays: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”
Act 7:60: Then Stephen prays: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”
Act 8:15: Peter and John pray that the converts may receive the Holy Spirit
Act 8:22: The sinner is told: Repent and pray that you may be forgiven
Act 8:24: Simon says: “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves so that none of the things you have spoken about may happen to me”
Act 9:11: Paul is praying
Act 9:40: Peter prays for the healing of Tabitha
Act 10:2: Cornelius prayed constantly to God
Act 10:4: Cornelius’ prayers are heard in heaven
Act 10:9: At the sixth hour, Peter prays on the roof of the house
Act 10:30-31: Cornelius prays at the ninth hour, and his prayer is heard
Act 11:5: Peter tells the people of Jerusalem: “I was praying”!
Act 12:5: The community prays when Peter is in jail
Act 12:12: Many people are gathered in prayer in Mary’s house
Act 13:2-3: The community prays and fasts before sending Paul and Barnabas
Act 13:48: The pagans rejoice and glorify the Word of God
Act 14:23: The missionaries pray to appoint the coordinators of the communities
Act 16:13: At Philippi, near the river, there is a place of prayer
Act 16:16: Paul and Silas were going to prayer
Act 16:25: At night, Paul and Silas sing and pray in prison
Act 18:9: Paul has a vision of the Lord at night
Act 19:18: Many confess their sins
Act 20:7: They met to break bread (the Eucharist)
Act 20:32: Paul commends to God the coordinators of the communities
Act 20:36: Paul prays on his knees with the coordinators of the communities
Act 21:5: They kneel on the shore to pray
Act 21:14: Before the inevitable, the people say: God’s will be done!
Act 21:20: They glorify God for all that Paul has done
Act 21:26: Paul goes to the temple to fulfil a promise
Act 22:17-21: Paul prays in the temple, he has a vision and speaks with God
Act 23:11: In the prison in Jerusalem, Paul has a vision of Jesus
Act 27:23ff: Paul has a vision of Jesus during the storm at sea
Act 27:35: Paul takes the bread, gives thanks to God before arriving in Malta
Act 28:8: Paul prays over Publius’ father who had a fever
Act 28:15: Paul gives thanks to God on seeing the brethren in Pozzuoli
This list tells us two important things. On the one hand, the early Christians kept the traditional liturgy of the people. Like Jesus, they pray at home among the family, in community and in the synagogue and together with the people of the temple. On the other hand, apart from the traditional liturgy, there appears a new way of praying among them in community and with a new content. The root of this new prayer comes from the new experience of “God in Jesus and from a clear and deep awareness of the presence of God in midst of the community: “In him we live, move and are!” (Acts 17:28)
6. Prayer: Psalm 63 (62)
A longing for God expressed in prayer
God, you are my God, I pine for you;
my heart thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
as a land parched, dreary and waterless.
Thus I have gazed on you in the sanctuary,
seeing your power and your glory.
Better your faithful love than life itself;
my lips will praise you.
my heart thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
as a land parched, dreary and waterless.
Thus I have gazed on you in the sanctuary,
seeing your power and your glory.
Better your faithful love than life itself;
my lips will praise you.
Thus I will bless you all my life,
in your name lift up my hands.
All my longings fulfilled as with fat and rich foods,
a song of joy on my lips and praise in my mouth.
On my bed when I think of you,
I muse on you in the watches of the night,
for you have always been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice;
my heart clings to you,
your right hand supports me.
in your name lift up my hands.
All my longings fulfilled as with fat and rich foods,
a song of joy on my lips and praise in my mouth.
On my bed when I think of you,
I muse on you in the watches of the night,
for you have always been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice;
my heart clings to you,
your right hand supports me.
May those who are hounding me to death
go down to the depths of the earth,
given over to the blade of the sword,
and left as food for jackals.
Then the king shall rejoice in God,
all who swear by him shall gain recognition,
for the mouths of liars shall be silenced.
go down to the depths of the earth,
given over to the blade of the sword,
and left as food for jackals.
Then the king shall rejoice in God,
all who swear by him shall gain recognition,
for the mouths of liars shall be silenced.
7. Final Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank for the word that has
enabled us to understand better the will of the Father. May your Spirit
enlighten our actions and grant us the strength to practice that which your
Word has revealed to us. May we, like Mary, your mother, not only listen to but
also practise the Word. You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of
the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
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