Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 496
Lectionary: 496
When peaceful stillness compassed everything
and the night in its swift course was half spent,
Your all-powerful word, from heaven's royal throne
bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land,
bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree.
And as he alighted, he filled every place with death;
he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth.
For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew,
serving its natural laws,
that your children might be preserved unharmed.
The cloud overshadowed their camp;
and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging:
Out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road,
and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood.
Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand,
after they beheld stupendous wonders.
For they ranged about like horses,
and bounded about like lambs,
praising you, O Lord! their deliverer.
and the night in its swift course was half spent,
Your all-powerful word, from heaven's royal throne
bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land,
bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree.
And as he alighted, he filled every place with death;
he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth.
For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew,
serving its natural laws,
that your children might be preserved unharmed.
The cloud overshadowed their camp;
and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging:
Out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road,
and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood.
Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand,
after they beheld stupendous wonders.
For they ranged about like horses,
and bounded about like lambs,
praising you, O Lord! their deliverer.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43
R.(5a) Remember
the marvels the Lord has done!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Then he struck every first born throughout their land,
the first fruits of all their manhood.
And he led them forth laden with silver and gold,
with not a weakling among their tribes.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
or:
R. Alleluia.
For he remembered his holy word
to his servant Abraham.
And he led forth his people with joy;
with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Then he struck every first born throughout their land,
the first fruits of all their manhood.
And he led them forth laden with silver and gold,
with not a weakling among their tribes.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
or:
R. Alleluia.
For he remembered his holy word
to his servant Abraham.
And he led forth his people with joy;
with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaSEE 2 THES 2:14
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel,
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel,
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 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?"
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?"
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint Margaret of Scotland,
please go here.
For the readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint Gertrude, please
go here.
Meditation: "Always
pray 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 and Vindicator
is much quicker to come to our defense and 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.
Faith-filled
persistence reaps the fruit of justice and grace
Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) to give his disciples fresh hope and confidence in God's unfailing care and favor towards us (grace). In this present life we can expect trials and adversity, but we are not without hope in God. The Day of the Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices perpetrated by a fallen world of sinful people and that God's love is stronger than death (Song of Songs 8:6). Those who put their faith in God and entrust their lives to him can look forward with hope and confident assurance. They will receive their reward - if not fully in this present life then surely and completely in the age to come in God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) to give his disciples fresh hope and confidence in God's unfailing care and favor towards us (grace). In this present life we can expect trials and adversity, but we are not without hope in God. The Day of the Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices perpetrated by a fallen world of sinful people and that God's love is stronger than death (Song of Songs 8:6). Those who put their faith in God and entrust their lives to him can look forward with hope and confident assurance. They will receive their reward - if not fully in this present life then surely and completely in the age to come in God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
Jesus
ends his parable with a probing question for us. Will you and I have faith -
the kind of faith that doesn't give up or lose hope in God - but perseveres to
the end of our lives - and to the end of this present age when the Lord Jesus will
return in glory as Ruler and Judge of All? Faith is an entirely free gift that
God makes to us. We could not believe, trust, and persevere with hope if God
did not first draw us to himself and reveal to us his merciful love and care.
If we want to grow and persevere in faith until the end of our days, then we
must nourish our faith 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 and confidence? Do you pray with expectant faith and confident hope in
God's merciful care and provision for you?
"Lord
Jesus, increase my faith and make it strong that I may never doubt your word
and promise to be with me always. In every situation I face - whether trials,
setbacks, or loss - may I always find strength in your unfailing love and find
joy and contentment in having you alone as the treasure of my heart."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Persistent prayer transforms iniquity
and wickedness into mercy, by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)
"How was that unjust judge immoral and wicked? How was the upright judge
gracious and just? The first in his iniquity was not willing to vindicate the
widow, and in his wickedness, he was not willing to put her mind at rest. The
justice of God knows how to vindicate, and his grace discerns how to give life.
The iniquity of this wicked judge was contrary to the justice of God, and the
wickedness of this rebel was in opposition to the grace of the gentle One. His
wickedness therefore was stubbornness, for it dared to go against the fear of
God. His boldness was stubborn, for it refused the lowly person."
"These two were stubborn, but persistent prayer was even more stubborn. The persistence of the widow humiliated both the iniquity that was rebelling against God and the boldness that was behaving arrogantly towards human beings. She subjected them to her will, so that they might provide her with a vindication over her adversary. Persistence transformed these two bitter branches, and they bore sweet fruit that was against their nature. The iniquity of the judge brought about a righteous judgment and a just retribution for the falsely accused woman. His wickedness gave peace to the afflicted one, although iniquity does not know how to judge, and wickedness does not know how to give refreshment. Persistence forced these two evil and bitter branches to give good fruit against their nature. If we persist in prayer, we should be even more able to prevail on the grace and justice of God to give us fruit that agrees with their nature. Let justice vindicate us, and let grace refresh us. Accordingly, the fruit of justice is the just reward of the oppressed, while the giving of refreshment to the afflicted is the fruit of grace." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 16.16.6)
"These two were stubborn, but persistent prayer was even more stubborn. The persistence of the widow humiliated both the iniquity that was rebelling against God and the boldness that was behaving arrogantly towards human beings. She subjected them to her will, so that they might provide her with a vindication over her adversary. Persistence transformed these two bitter branches, and they bore sweet fruit that was against their nature. The iniquity of the judge brought about a righteous judgment and a just retribution for the falsely accused woman. His wickedness gave peace to the afflicted one, although iniquity does not know how to judge, and wickedness does not know how to give refreshment. Persistence forced these two evil and bitter branches to give good fruit against their nature. If we persist in prayer, we should be even more able to prevail on the grace and justice of God to give us fruit that agrees with their nature. Let justice vindicate us, and let grace refresh us. Accordingly, the fruit of justice is the just reward of the oppressed, while the giving of refreshment to the afflicted is the fruit of grace." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 16.16.6)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, LUKE 18:1-8
(Wisdom 18:14-16, 19:6-9; Psalm 105)
(Wisdom 18:14-16, 19:6-9; Psalm 105)
KEY VERSE: "He told them a parable about the necessity of praying always and not losing heart" (v. 1).
TO KNOW: Jesus told his disciples a parable to encourage them to persevere in prayer as they labored to build God's kingdom. In this story, a widow pleaded with a judge for her rights. Such judges may have been appointed either by Herod or by the Romans. They were popularly called 'robber judges' as they disregarded both God's law and human need. Unless plaintiffs had influence and money to bribe the judge there was no hope of ever getting their cases settled. Widows were especially defenseless members of society (Deut 10:18; 14:29; 16:11). Without support of a husband and lacking resources of any kind, they had no hope of expecting justice. However, in Jesus' story, the widow persisted in her demand to be heard, and the judge finally relented. Jesus said, if this hardhearted individual could be moved, how much more would God’s children be given what they needed? Jesus asks a hard question: “When the Son of Man returns in glory, will he find any faith on the earth?”
TO LOVE: Do I support just legislation on behalf of the poor and the defenseless?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, hear the prayers of those who are treated unjustly.
Optional Memorial of Saint Margaret of Scotland
Margaret, Queen of Scotland, was the granddaughter of King Edmund Ironside of England, and the great-niece of St Stephen of Hungary. She was born in Hungary while her family was in exile due to the Danish invasion of England. While fleeing the invading army of William the Conqueror in 1066, her ship was wrecked on the Scottish coast. She was assisted by King Malcolm III Canmore of Scotland whom Margaret married in 1070. They had eight children; one was St Maud, wife of Henry I. Margaret founded abbeys and used her position to work for justice and to improve the conditions of the poor.
Optional Memorial of Saint Gertrude the Great, virgin
Gertrude was raised in the Cistercian abbey of Helfta, Eisleben, Saxony from age 5. She was an extremely bright student, and gentle person. When she became too enamored of philosophy, she received a vision of Christ who reproached her. From then on she studied the Bible and the works of the Church Fathers. She received many visions and mystical instruction, which formed the basis of her writings. She helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart. Her writings have been greatly praised by St Teresa and St Francis de Sales, and continue in print today.
Saturday 16 November 2019
Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9. Psalm 104(105):2-3, 36-37, 42-43. Luke
18:1-8.
Remember the marvels the Lord has done – Psalm 104(105):2-3,
36-37, 42-43
‘Because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her
justice’
Who is God like? Is God like the uncaring petty official in some
bureaucracy who has to be badgered into acting for us? No? Well, why is it that
sometimes we cry to God day and night and he seems so far away from us that he
doesn’t hear? Is God really a loving father?
Yes. God’s love is like ours. When we hug a crying child, when
we console our friend’s hurt feelings, when we encourage one another, we are
acting as God acts. God knows our inner hurts and wants us to share them with
him. But like a good parent he does not always give us everything we want
exactly when we want it. But he does answer our calls – always.
Father, be close to me. Heal my inner hurts and give me comfort.
Attend to me in my needs and invite me to embrace your call.
Saint Margaret of Scotland
Saint of the Day for November 16
(1045 – November 16, 1093)
 |
| Saint Margaret of Scotland | François Augustin Caunois | photo by BastienM |
Saint Margaret of Scotland’s Story
Margaret of Scotland was a truly liberated woman in the sense
that she was free to be herself. For her, that meant freedom to love God and
serve others.
Not Scottish by birth, Margaret was the daughter of Princess
Agatha of Hungary and the Anglo-Saxon Prince Edward Atheling. She spent much of
her youth in the court of her great-uncle, the English king, Edward the
Confessor. Her family fled from William the Conqueror and was shipwrecked off
the coast of Scotland. King Malcolm befriended them and was captivated by the
beautiful, gracious Margaret. They were married at the castle of Dunfermline in
1070.
Malcolm was good-hearted, but rough and uncultured, as was his
country. Because of Malcolm’s love for Margaret, she was able to soften his
temper, polish his manners, and help him become a virtuous king. He left all
domestic affairs to her, and often consulted her in state matters.
Margaret tried to improve her adopted country by promoting the
arts and education. For religious reform she encouraged synods and was present
for the discussions which tried to correct religious abuses common among
priests and laypeople, such as simony, usury, and incestuous marriages. With
her husband, she founded several churches.
Margaret was not only a queen, but a mother. She and Malcolm had
six sons and two daughters. Margaret personally supervised their religious
instruction and other studies.
Although she was very much caught up in the affairs of the
household and country, she remained detached from the world. Her private life
was austere. She had certain times for prayer and reading Scripture. She ate
sparingly and slept little in order to have time for devotions. She and Malcolm
kept two Lents, one before Easter and one before Christmas. During these times
she always rose at midnight for Mass. On the way home she would wash the feet
of six poor persons and give them alms. She was always surrounded by beggars in
public and never refused them. It is recorded that she never sat down to eat
without first feeding nine orphans and 24 adults.
In 1093, King William Rufus made a surprise attack on Alnwick
castle. King Malcolm and his oldest son, Edward, were killed. Margaret, already
on her deathbed, died four days after her husband.
Reflection
There are two ways to be charitable: the “clean way” and
the “messy way.” The “clean way” is to give money or clothing to organizations
that serve the poor. The “messy way” is dirtying your own hands in personal
service to the poor. Margaret’s outstanding virtue was her love of the poor.
Although very generous with material gifts, Margaret also visited the sick and
nursed them with her own hands. She and her husband served orphans and the poor
on their knees during Advent and Lent. Like Christ, she was charitable the
“messy way.”
Lectio Divina: Luke 18:1-8
Lectio Divina
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God of power and mercy,
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told a parable to His disciples about the need to pray
continually and never lose heart. There was a judge in a certain town, who had
neither fear of God nor respect for anyone In the same town there was also a
widow who kept on coming to him and saying, ‘"I want justice from you against
my enemy!"’ 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, I must
give this widow her just rights is troublesome to me, lest continually coming
she weary me."
And the Lord said, "You notice what the unjust judge has to say? 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?
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?
And the Lord said, "You notice what the unjust judge has to say? 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?
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) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel presents an element which is very dear to Luke:
Prayer. This is the second time that Luke gives us the words of Jesus to teach
us to pray. The first time (Lk 11, 1-13), He taught us the Our Father and, by
means of comparisons and parables, He taught that we have to pray continually,
without getting tired. Now, this second time, (Lk 18,1-8), He uses a parable
taken from life to teach us insistence in prayer. It is the parable of the
widow who pestered the unscrupulous judge. The way He presents the parable is
very didactic. In the first place, Luke presents a brief introduction which
serves as the key for the reading. Afterwards, he narrates the parable.
Finally, Jesus Himself explains it.
• Luke 18, 1: The introduction. Luke presents the parable with the following phrase: “Then He told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart". The recommendation “to pray without losing heart” appears many times in the New Testament (1 Th 5, 17; Rm 12, 12; Ep 6, 18; etc), And it is a characteristic of the spirituality of the first Christian communities.
• Luke 18, 2-5: The parable. Then Jesus presents two personages of real life: a judge who had no consideration for God and no consideration for others, and a widow who struggles to obtain her rights from the judge. The simple fact of indicating these two personages reveals the critical conscience which He had regarding the society of His time. The parable presents the poor people who struggle in the tribunal to obtain their rights. The judge decides to pay attention to the widow and to do justice. The reason is to free himself from the widow who is pestering him and to get rid of her. This is an interesting reason. But the widow obtained what she wanted! This is an example from daily life, which Jesus uses to teach us to pray.
• Luke 18, 6-8: The application. Jesus applies the parable: “You notice what the unjust judge has said. 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? Will He make them wait long? I tell you He will see justice done to them, and done speedily”. If it had not been Jesus, we would not have had the courage to compare Jesus to an unjust judge! Nevertheless, at the end, Jesus expresses a doubt: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” In other words, will we have the courage to wait and have patience, even if God delays in doing what we ask him?
• Jesus in prayer. The first Christians had an image of Jesus in prayer, in permanent contact with the Father. In fact, the life of Jesus was to do the will of the Father (Jn 5: 19). Jesus prayed very much and insisted that His disciples also pray. T. Luke is the Evangelist who gives us a great deal of information on the prayer life of Jesus. He presents Jesus in constant prayer. The following are some moments in which Jesus appears praying:
- When He was twelve years old and goes to the temple, to the House of the Father (Lk 2: 46-50).
- He prays when He is baptized and assumes His mission (Lk 3: 21).
- At the beginning of the mission, He spends forty days in the desert (Lk 4: 1-2).
- At ta time of temptation, He opposes the devil with texts from Scripture (Lk 4: 3-12).
- Jesus used to participate in the celebration in the Synagogue on Saturday (Lk 4: 16)
- He seeks solitude in the desert to pray (Lk 5: 16; 9, 18).
- Before choosing the twelve Apostles, He spends the night in prayer (Lk 6: 12).
- He prays before meals (Lk 9: 16; 24, 30).
- (Lk 9: 18).
- In a time of crises, He goes up to the mountain and pray where he is transfigured. (Lk 9: 28).
- When revealing the Gospel to little ones He says: “Father, I thank you!” (Lk 10: 21)
- In praying, He arouses in the Apostles the desire to pray (Lk 11: 1).
- He prays for Peter so that he does not lose his faith (Lk 22: 32).
- He celebrates the Paschal Supper with His disciples (Lk 22: 7-14).
- In the Garden of Olives, He prays, even when sweating blood (Lk 22: 41-42).
- In the anguish of the agony, He asks His friends to pray with Him (Lk 22: 40.46).
- At the moment when He was being nailed to the Cross, He asks pardon for the murderers (Lk 23: 34).
- At the hour of death, He says “Into your hands I commend my spirit!” (Lk 23: 46; Ps 31: 6)
- Jesus dies crying out with the cry of the poor (Lk 23: 46).
• This long list indicates everything which follows. For Jesus, prayer is intimately linked to life, to concrete facts, and to the decisions which He had to take. In order to be able to be faithful to the project of the Father, He sought to remain alone with Him. He listened to Him. In difficult and decisive moments in His life, Jesus recited Psalms. Just as any devout Jew, He knew them by heart. The recitation of the Psalms did not take away His creativity. Rather, Jesus Himself created a Psalm which He transmitted to us: the Our Father. His life is a permanent prayer: “I always seek the will of the one who sent me!” (Jn 5: 19.30) The Psalm applies to Him when it says: “I am prayer!” (Ps 109: 4)
• Luke 18, 1: The introduction. Luke presents the parable with the following phrase: “Then He told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart". The recommendation “to pray without losing heart” appears many times in the New Testament (1 Th 5, 17; Rm 12, 12; Ep 6, 18; etc), And it is a characteristic of the spirituality of the first Christian communities.
• Luke 18, 2-5: The parable. Then Jesus presents two personages of real life: a judge who had no consideration for God and no consideration for others, and a widow who struggles to obtain her rights from the judge. The simple fact of indicating these two personages reveals the critical conscience which He had regarding the society of His time. The parable presents the poor people who struggle in the tribunal to obtain their rights. The judge decides to pay attention to the widow and to do justice. The reason is to free himself from the widow who is pestering him and to get rid of her. This is an interesting reason. But the widow obtained what she wanted! This is an example from daily life, which Jesus uses to teach us to pray.
• Luke 18, 6-8: The application. Jesus applies the parable: “You notice what the unjust judge has said. 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? Will He make them wait long? I tell you He will see justice done to them, and done speedily”. If it had not been Jesus, we would not have had the courage to compare Jesus to an unjust judge! Nevertheless, at the end, Jesus expresses a doubt: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” In other words, will we have the courage to wait and have patience, even if God delays in doing what we ask him?
• Jesus in prayer. The first Christians had an image of Jesus in prayer, in permanent contact with the Father. In fact, the life of Jesus was to do the will of the Father (Jn 5: 19). Jesus prayed very much and insisted that His disciples also pray. T. Luke is the Evangelist who gives us a great deal of information on the prayer life of Jesus. He presents Jesus in constant prayer. The following are some moments in which Jesus appears praying:
- When He was twelve years old and goes to the temple, to the House of the Father (Lk 2: 46-50).
- He prays when He is baptized and assumes His mission (Lk 3: 21).
- At the beginning of the mission, He spends forty days in the desert (Lk 4: 1-2).
- At ta time of temptation, He opposes the devil with texts from Scripture (Lk 4: 3-12).
- Jesus used to participate in the celebration in the Synagogue on Saturday (Lk 4: 16)
- He seeks solitude in the desert to pray (Lk 5: 16; 9, 18).
- Before choosing the twelve Apostles, He spends the night in prayer (Lk 6: 12).
- He prays before meals (Lk 9: 16; 24, 30).
- (Lk 9: 18).
- In a time of crises, He goes up to the mountain and pray where he is transfigured. (Lk 9: 28).
- When revealing the Gospel to little ones He says: “Father, I thank you!” (Lk 10: 21)
- In praying, He arouses in the Apostles the desire to pray (Lk 11: 1).
- He prays for Peter so that he does not lose his faith (Lk 22: 32).
- He celebrates the Paschal Supper with His disciples (Lk 22: 7-14).
- In the Garden of Olives, He prays, even when sweating blood (Lk 22: 41-42).
- In the anguish of the agony, He asks His friends to pray with Him (Lk 22: 40.46).
- At the moment when He was being nailed to the Cross, He asks pardon for the murderers (Lk 23: 34).
- At the hour of death, He says “Into your hands I commend my spirit!” (Lk 23: 46; Ps 31: 6)
- Jesus dies crying out with the cry of the poor (Lk 23: 46).
• This long list indicates everything which follows. For Jesus, prayer is intimately linked to life, to concrete facts, and to the decisions which He had to take. In order to be able to be faithful to the project of the Father, He sought to remain alone with Him. He listened to Him. In difficult and decisive moments in His life, Jesus recited Psalms. Just as any devout Jew, He knew them by heart. The recitation of the Psalms did not take away His creativity. Rather, Jesus Himself created a Psalm which He transmitted to us: the Our Father. His life is a permanent prayer: “I always seek the will of the one who sent me!” (Jn 5: 19.30) The Psalm applies to Him when it says: “I am prayer!” (Ps 109: 4)
4) Personal questions
• There are people who say that they do not know how to pray,
but they speak with God the whole day. Do you know such a person? There
are many ways which people express their devotion and pray today. What
are they?
• What do these two parables teach us on prayer? What do they teach me regarding the way of seeing life and persons?
• What do these two parables teach us on prayer? What do they teach me regarding the way of seeing life and persons?
5) Concluding prayer
How blessed is anyone who fears Yahweh,
who delights in His commandments!
His descendants shall be powerful on earth,
the race of the honest shall receive blessings. (Ps 112:1-2)
who delights in His commandments!
His descendants shall be powerful on earth,
the race of the honest shall receive blessings. (Ps 112:1-2)
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