The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the spiritual benefits of persistence in prayer for our efforts to effect truth and justice.
Persistent prayer
The reading from the Third Letter of John urges us to become co-workers with the truth.
* [6] Help them…to continue their journey: the Presbyter asks Gaius not only to continue to welcome the missionaries to his community but also to equip them for further travels.1
Psalm 112 declares the blessings of the righteous.
* [Psalm 112] An acrostic poem detailing the blessings received by those who remain close to God by obedience to the commandments. Among their blessings are children (Ps 112:2), wealth that enables them to be magnanimous (Ps 112:3, 5, 9), and virtue by which they encourage others (Ps 112:4). The just person is an affront to the wicked, whose hopes remain unfulfilled (Ps 112:10). The logic resembles Ps 1; 111.2
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus uses the Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge to teach about faith and persistence in prayer.
* [18:1–14] The particularly Lucan material in the travel narrative concludes with two parables on prayer. The first (Lk 18:1–8) teaches the disciples the need of persistent prayer so that they not fall victims to apostasy (Lk 18:8). 3
Angela Maynard, like many others, has a severe case of COVID fatigue. She is very weary of the constant chaos, bickering and unrest all over our world. Too many people live in a constant state of fear, worry and anxiety.
Is this any way to live? I say no. What can we do about it? We must be patient, help each other and pray fervently. When it doesn’t seem like our prayers are being answered, keep praying. When hope is running out, keep praying. When you don’t know what else to do, …keep praying. Pray fervently and remember that Jesus walks beside us always. His presence is persistent. Let us be persistent in our prayer. “Don’t worry to the point of losing your inner peace. Pray with perseverance, with faith, with calmness and serenity.” --St. Padre Pio4
Don Schwager quotes “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)5
Peter Edmonds SJ, a member of the Jesuit community at Stamford Hill, North London, comments that we learn from the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke that as we grow in our knowledge of the goodness and love of God, so will we grow in our faith.
He told them a parable about a widow who pleaded with an unjust judge. His conclusion was a lament, ‘When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? ’ (18:8) At the last supper, Jesus prayed for Peter ‘that your own faith may not fail’ (22:32). Once more we note the link between faith and prayer.6
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 18:1-8 asks why does it seem that God delays in answering us sometimes?
Because as you persist in pouring out your needs to God, you are receiving blessings that go beyond the solution to a problem or the pulling down of an obstacle. You develop a deeper relationship with him and become more like him. You take on his heart and his perspective. And that is the most important thing that can happen!7
Friar Jude Winkler notes the directive in the letter of John to support missionaries is paired with a warning about false teachers. Nag God for an answer to prayer. Friar Jude reminds that the answer may be delayed, not what we want but what we need, or a promise to meet us on the cross.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that in “Psalm,” John Coltrane plays the “words” of his poem that was included in the original liner notes. He put this handwritten poem/prayer on the music stand in front of him, and “played” it as if it were music. Practicing Lectio Divina with this song may deepen our sense of prayer and add possible ways to pray.
I will do all I can to be worthy
of Thee O Lord.
It All has to do with it.
Thank You God.
Peace.
There is none other.
God is. It is so beautiful.
Thank You God. God is All.
Help us to resolve our fears &
weaknesses.
In You All things are possible.8
Prayer deepens our relationship with God through which we receive grace to continue to work for truth and justice.
References
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