Deacon Ron's Homily - Week 29 Cycle C – Persistence in pray and faith

The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.” Here we go again.   Last month I preached about a dishonest steward and making friends with dishonest wealth.  Today a dishonest judge is supposed to enlighten us. Jesus’ focus is not so much on the judge, but on the widow who is pestering him.  Her persistence for justice in the face of a difficult situation models for us perseverance in prayer.

The widow was really facing an uphill battle for the time she lived in.   She lived in a patriarchic society, which only recognized males having the rights to own property. Since she was petitioning the judge on her own it meant she had no sons to support her. So without any sons to inherit her husband’s property she could face loss of her sole means of support.  There were no safety nets of support like we have today, so she was really in a dire situation. Without any family to support her she faced a tragic situation.

The judge was not someone who would not have any sympathy for her plight.  He didn’t fear God or respect his neighbor, but must have been intimidated by the widow’s persistence in pleading her case.  The widow must have gotten a little feisty with the judge as well. We’re told he delivered a just decision for her lest she come and strike him.  One of the biblical translations I read said that she would give him a black eye.  I would say that’s a bit feisty.

So what can we learn from the widows persistence?   Jesus told his disciples this parable to reinforce the necessity of prayer without becoming weary or discouraged.  The widow’s plight was one that could be a hopeless situation.   It seemed to be no way that the judge would rule in her favor based on cultural norms at the time.  But by her keeping up with her pleading he eventually ruled in her favor.   So if a dishonest judge, who doesn’t fear God or respect any human being, delivers a just decision to the widow, wouldn’t it make sense that a loving God answers his faithful who persevere in prayer?

When were faced with a trying situation such as a serious illness, death of a loved one, job loss, or a broken relationship it’s a time that we may turn to God in prayer.    We can do so individually and also ask others to pray for us as well.  But when the situation doesn’t turn out as we we desire, it may seem that God is closed to our prayer. So we may get discouraged and give up.  We don’t persevere in our prayer.   That’s what the devil wants us to do, to give up on God and break our relationship with him.   But, God is not closed to our prayer.   It’s may be a matter of timing.  This can be difficult for us especially when it seems like God is not listening.   We need to be honest with God in times like these.  Let Him know your feelings and frustrations.  This may be all that you can pray to God, but at least you will be still in relationship with him.  God always answers our prayers, but the answer may not be when or how we want it answered.    

St. Monica is a great example of a model of perseverance in prayer.  She prayed for the conversion of her son, St. Augustine, to become Christian for over 15 years.  St. Augustine did convert shortly before his mother’s death and became a great saint. This was a long time to wait to see the fruit of prayer.

So how and when should we pray?   Always! Our prayer needs to be persistent and consistent, both on our own an in community.  Praying daily on our own is a good practice to get into.   We need to build our relationship with God when times are good as well as when they are troubling.    If you need help with a daily prayer routine I recommend watching the Opening the Word video for today’s readings.

St. Paul gives us another good way to pray: through the Scriptures.  By reading Scriptures daily it will help us in becoming disciples of Jesus.  Scripture teaches us to know Jesus and be better disciples in carrying out the ministry of Christ in our daily lives.  Reading the scripture for Sunday or daily Mass are excellent ways to pray daily.  

Finally we can persevere in prayer together as a community by being her at Mass weekly.  When we come together for Mass we are praying the most powerful prayer of all.  We have Christ present in the Word and the Eucharist.  We can bring our personal prayers of petitions and thanksgiving and offer them up as the gifts are brought up to the altar.  As we leave Mass we can continue to pray as a community throughout the week by praying for those listed in the bulletin who are sick and serving in the military. 

So as we continue throughout the week lets be preserving in our prayer like the widow and not grow weary.  Continue daily to pray in good times and bad so you grow in your relationship with the Lord.  Pray for your own needs and support others in prayer.  And when faced with difficult situations continue to pray and remember St. Paul’s advice to St. Timothy: be persistent whether is it convenient or inconvenient.