Confident Persistent Humble

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to adopt an attitude in our relationship to God that maintains our faith in seeking and receiving the most loving response to our needs.

Persist for Our Needs

The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah presents the people’s return from captivity as a second exodus

* [31:2–3] Jeremiah describes the exiles of the Northern Kingdom on their way home from the nations where the Assyrians had resettled them (722/721 B.C.). The favor they discover in the wilderness is the appearance of the Lord (v. 3) coming to guide them to Jerusalem. Implicit in these verses is the presentation of the people’s return from captivity as a second exodus, a unifying theme in Second Isaiah (chaps. 40–55). (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31 | USCCB, n.d.)

The response is also from Jeremiah 31.

h. [31:11] Is 44:23; 48:20.

i. [31:12] Is 58:11. (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus heals in response to The Canaanite Woman’s Faith.

* [15:21–28] See note on Mt 8:5–13.

* [15:24] See note on Mt 10:5–6.

* [15:26] The children: the people of Israel. Dogs: see note on Mt 7:6.

* [15:28] As in the case of the cure of the centurion’s servant (Mt 8:10), Matthew ascribes Jesus’ granting the request to the woman’s great faith, a point not made equally explicit in the Marcan parallel (Mk 7:24–30). (Matthew, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Mother of the Gentiles,” by Epiphanius the Latin (late 5th century).

"After our Lord departed from the Jews, he came into the regions of Tyre and Sidon. He left the Jews behind and came to the Gentiles. Those whom he had left behind remained in ruin; those to whom he came obtained salvation in their alienation. And a woman came out of that territory and cried, saying to him, 'Have pity on me, O Lord, Son of David!' O great mystery! The Lord came out from the Jews, and the woman came out from her Gentile territory. He left the Jews behind, and the woman left behind idolatry and an impious lifestyle. What they had lost, she found. The one whom they had denied in the law, she professed through her faith. This woman is the mother of the Gentiles, and she knew Christ through faith. Thus on behalf of her daughter (the Gentile people) she entreated the Lord. The daughter had been led astray by idolatry and sin and was severely possessed by a demon." (excerpt from INTERPRETATION OF THE GOSPELS 58) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler shares that the Prophet Jeremiah presents passages that are mostly a condemnation of the ways of the people of Judah. Today the theme is the opposite: God will restore the people even on the mountains of the North. This is during the Babylonial Exile and the northern region has been separated for centuries. The response of God is not vindictiveness not forgetting evil but inviting them to live in His love. A Canaanite woman petitions Jesus to heal her daughter. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus has primarily come for the lost sheep of Israel even as Jesus hints of reaching out to the Gentiles. She is clever in her response to Him after comparing her to the dogs and her cleverness moved Jesus to recognize her faith. Friar Jude recommends insistence when we pray to push and be clever to receive what we truly need.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 15:21-28 challenges us to assume that Jesus was testing this woman. How did she respond? And what can we learn from her?

Seeing this woman’s humility, persistence, and confidence, Jesus replied, “Great is your faith!” and healed her daughter on the spot (Matthew 15:28).

If you ever feel God is testing you, take this Canaanite woman as your model. Persist in your prayers. Hold onto your confidence in Jesus’ love. And remain humble and open to whatever answer you receive. Jesus knows exactly what you need.

“Lord, help me to place all my trust in you!” (Meditation on Matthew 15:21-28, n.d.)

The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major is commemorated today.

Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces one question which really matters: why do bad things happen to good people?

Rabbi Harold Kushner, through his classic exploration of the book of Job, (1935–2023) questions the common belief that God is all-powerful. Kushner describes the divine intimacy we can experience when we are released from the belief that God is responsible for our suffering:

We will be able to turn to God for things He can do to help us, instead of holding on to unrealistic expectations of Him which will never come about….

We can maintain our own self-respect and sense of goodness without having to feel that God has judged us and condemned us. We can be angry at what has happened to us, without feeling that we are angry at God. More than that, we can recognize our anger at life’s unfairness, our instinctive compassion at seeing people suffer, as coming from God who teaches us to be angry at injustice and to feel compassion for the afflicted. Instead of feeling that we are opposed to God, we can feel that our indignation is God’s anger at unfairness working through us, that when we cry out, we are still on God’s side, and He is still on ours.

Harold S. Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People (Schocken Books, 1981), (Rohr, 2025)

We celebrate the love and compassion of Christ and the truth that God offers care to all humanity as we persist in our petitions and desires to be spiritually open to the understanding that God is inviting us to Fullness of Life.

References

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved August 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/31?1 

Matthew, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved August 5, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/15?21 

Meditation on Matthew 15:21-28. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved Aug 5, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/08/05/1639922/ 

Rohr, R. (2025, September 11). Is God All Powerful? Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved August 5, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/is-god-all-powerful/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Great Is Your Faith! Be It Done for You as You Desire. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 5, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Persistent Support

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today reassure us that God responds to our need for support that may differ from our desires.

Prayer and Support

The Reading from the Book of Wisdom cites the cooperation of creation in Israel’s deliverance.

* [18:14–16] These verses attribute to the personified “word” the actions of the Lord mentioned in Ex 12:13–17 (note the role of the “destroyer” in Ex 12:23 and compare Wis 18:22, 25). (Wisdom, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [19:6] The cooperation of creation in Israel’s deliverance (vv. 7–12) under the direction of the Lord is a favorite theme; cf. 16:24–25. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 19|USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 105 invites us to praise and seek the presence of God.

* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). In every phase of the national story—the ancestors in the land of Canaan (Ps 105:12–15), Joseph in Egypt (Ps 105:16–22), Israel in Egypt (Ps 105:23–38), Israel in the desert on the way to Canaan (Ps 105:39–45)—God remained faithful, reiterating the promise of the land to successive servants. (Psalms, PSALM 105 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims the Parable of the Persistent Widow.

* [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). (Luke, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)

Jeremy Graney comments that God too reaches out to us all, expecting attention even if not outright demanding it. An ever-present whisper to reflect on, a pause before an action, or a feeling to decipher on living one’s life.

Too often do I identify with the judge, thinking that I know it all, trying to ignore and avoid that irksome voice from God, inviting me to a truer sense of my purpose. I do not want to have the fears of doubt on whether I am being my best self, asking myself if I am living my truest self - the self that was imagined by God. But God continues to show up, inviting us to look again and to have them be a part of our lives. (Graney, n.d.)

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) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 18:1-8 comments that we know that prayer is not supposed to be a task that we perform in order to get whatever result that we want. If that were the case, it would make sense for us to grow weary if our prayers don’t get answered in good time. But what if the persistence Jesus is looking for is the persistence of faith, not of saying enough prayers with just the right amount of intensity?

Maybe, in the end, it would be most helpful if we looked at God, our heavenly Father, as the truly persistent One! He’s the One who comes knocking on the door of our hearts every day, asking us to trust him. He’s the One who never gives up on us, even when we are praying extra hard but not saying, “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10). And he’s the One who is always asking us to answer his deepest desire—his desire for us to trust him with our whole lives!

“Lord, help me to persist in humble trusting faith.” (Meditation on Luke 18:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that a strange fierce warrior appears in the Wisdom passage when God intervened in Exodus and performed wonders. We should recognize God in all things around us. The Gospel of Luke urges us to persevere in prayer using a parable to show the widow who keeps nagging. God will hear when we pray, but as a loving parent, who gives what we need. We  persevere and God will give us an answer. We may not receive what we want but what we need. Friar Jude encourages a spirit of chutzpah that sees God as a friend who listens to us. Jewish tradition tells us to tell God exactly what we need.

Fr. Mike Schmitz compares the story of the rich young man to the story of Zacchaeus, highlighting the difference in their willingness to follow Christ with their whole hearts. Looking at the stories of these young men, Fr. Mike invites us to reflect on our willingness to follow Christ with all that we are and all that we have. Today we read Luke 17-19 and Proverbs 26:13-16.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Randy and Edith Woodley who describe some of the different ways Native American tribes have traditionally honored the sacramental nature of reality.

Our tangible spirituality as Native Americans includes ceremonies and traditions. For instance, each year the Karuk people of northern California have an annual Earth renewal ceremony, in which they take seriously their role as humans to heal the Earth. Ceremony may be associated with personal worship and also practiced communally, such as through Earth renewal ceremonies. Ceremonies that began ages ago, as a way of recreating the seasons or renewing the Earth, have now taken on more personal meanings….

How might you think about ceremony in your own life? Have you looked into the meaning of symbols in your own ancestry? Is there a group with whom you talk about spiritual things? Could the group come up with a practice that connects you to the land or water—even something small? (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit as we navigate the tension between patience and perseverance in presenting our needs and wants in prayer to God.

References

Graney, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 15, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-15-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/18?1 

Meditation on Luke 18:1-8. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 15, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/15/1429817/ 

Psalms, PSALM 105 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/105 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Sacramental Reality: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 15, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/sacramental-reality-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Always Pray and Do Not Lose Heart. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 15, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Wisdom, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/18?14 

Wisdom, CHAPTER 19|USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved November 15, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wis/19?6#27019006 

Faith Justice and Correction

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today emphasize the struggle to correct injustice is fought with persistence, prayer, courage, and patience.

Struggle for Justice

The Reading from Exodus describes the Battle with Amalek.

* [17:7] Massah…Meribah: Hebrew words meaning, respectively, “the place of the test” and “the place of strife, of quarreling.”

* [17:8] Amalek: the Amalekites appear in the Bible as early inhabitants of southern Palestine and the Sinai peninsula prior to the appearance of the Israelites in the region. Cf. Nm 24:20. (Exodus, CHAPTER 17|USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 121 is a blessing given to someone embarking on a dangerous journey.

* [Psalm 121] A blessing given to someone embarking on a dangerous journey whether a soldier going on a campaign or a pilgrim returning home from the Temple. People look anxiously at the wooded hills. Will God protect them on their journey (Ps 121:1)? The speaker declares that God is not confined to a place or a time (Ps 121:2), that every step is guarded (Ps 121:3–4); night and day (Ps 121:5–6) God watches over their every movement (Ps 121:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 121, n.d.)

The Reading from the Second Letter to Timothy presents Paul’s Example and Teaching

* [3:10–17] Paul’s example for Timothy includes persecution, a frequent emphasis in the Pastorals. Timothy is to be steadfast to what he has been taught and to scripture. The scriptures are the source of wisdom, i.e., of belief in and loving fulfillment of God’s word revealed in Christ, through whom salvation is given.

* [3:16–17] Useful for teaching…every good work: because as God’s word the scriptures share his divine authority. It is exercised through those who are ministers of the word.

* [3:16] All scripture is inspired by God: this could possibly also be translated, “All scripture inspired by God is useful for….” In this classic reference to inspiration, God is its principal author, with the writer as the human collaborator. Thus the scriptures are the word of God in human language. See also 2 Pt 1:20–21. (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)

* [4:1–5] The gravity of the obligation incumbent on Timothy to preach the word can be gauged from the solemn adjuration: in the presence of God, and of Christ coming as universal judge, and by his appearance and his kingly power (2 Tm 4:1). Patience, courage, constancy, and endurance are required despite the opposition, hostility, indifference, and defection of many to whom the truth has been preached (2 Tm 4:2–5). (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents The Parable of the Persistent Widow.

* [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). The second (Lk 18:9–14) condemns the self-righteous, critical attitude of the Pharisee and teaches that the fundamental attitude of the Christian disciple must be the recognition of sinfulness and complete dependence on God’s graciousness. The second parable recalls the story of the pardoning of the sinful woman (Lk 7:36–50) where a similar contrast is presented between the critical attitude of the Pharisee Simon and the love shown by the pardoned sinner.

* [18:5] Strike me: 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.” (Luke, CHAPTER 18, n.d.)

Rev. George Meze, SJ, comments that on September 3, 1539, Ignatius and his companions submitted a draft of the Constitution of the Society of Jesus to the Pope, only to have it rejected by Cardinal Guidiccioni.

Undismayed, Ignatius and his companions offered 4,000 Masses to obtain their goal. 

God took note of the persistent masses. According to Thomas Campbell, it was only after a year that Guidiccioni took up the draft of the constitution again — he scarcely knew why — and on reading it attentively he was completely converted and hastened to report on it as follows: “Although as before, I still hold to the opinion that no new religious order should be instituted, I cannot refrain from approving this one.”

The Parable of the Persistent Widow teaches us to pray continuously. According to William Barclay, the widow symbolizes all who are poor and defenseless, yet she had one weapon—persistence. When we persist in prayer, either God grants our request or gives us a promotion: a better gift. (Meze, n.d.)

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) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 18:1-8 asks: What can we do when prayer feels hard?

• Be open to receiving help from your brothers and sisters.

• Rely on God. 

• Whenever we struggle in prayer, we can ask God for his strength. 

Jesus himself intercedes for us, and the Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). Like the widow in today’s Gospel, we can keep bothering the Lord until he comes through. He’s our loving Father. He will always help us. We are never alone!

“Lord, teach me to remain prayerful all day long!” (Meditation on Luke 18:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Exodus passage describes a battle between Israelites and Amalekites and when Moses arms are lifted in prayer the Israelites progress and the power of prayer in a community is demonstrated.  The text in 2 Timothy, written in the name of Paul, describes the inspiration of Scripture by God, and the truth of faith is guaranteed even if the literature is confusing. The number of women at Calvary differs among the Gospels. In addition, Mark has poor literature but Luke and John are very strong. Insistence to persist in prayer in the Gospel through this cheeky parable may imply a knack to prayer like Jewish chutzpah. Friar Jude notes we should see God as a parent that wants us to receive the things that we need rather than what we want.

Friar Jude Winkler comments the Exodus passage describes a battle between Israelites and Amalekites and when Moses arms are lifted in prayer the Israelites progress and the power of prayer in a community is demonstrated.  The text in 2 Timothy, written in the name of Paul, describes the inspiration of Scripture by God, and the truth of faith is guaranteed even if the literature is confusing. The number of women at Calvary differs among the Gospels. In addition, Mark has poor literature but Luke and John are very strong. Insistence to persist in prayer in the Gospel through this cheeky parable may imply a knack to prayer like Jewish chutzpah. Friar Jude notes we should see God as a parent that wants us to receive the things that we need rather than what we want.

Fr. Mike Schmitz continues our journey in 1 Maccabees. Fr. Mike explains that this book of the Bible is unlike others because it narrates stories and events without providing any interpretation. In Sirach, Fr. Mike stresses the teaching on the power of our words and the gravity of gossip and slander. Today's readings are 1 Maccabees 11, Sirach 28-29, and Proverbs 23:9-12.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, believes it’s possible for Christianity to move toward a way of following Jesus that has much more to do with lifestyle than with belief. We don’t want to remain an institution focused on certain words and the writing of official documents. We can’t remain a church obsessed with maintaining power and illusions of innocence. 

I believe the teaching of contemplation is absolutely key to embracing Christianity as a living tradition. If we settle for old patterns of habitual and reactionary thought, any new phenomenon that emerges will be just one more of the many reformations in Christianity that have characterized our entire history. The movement will quickly and predictably subdivide into unhelpful dualisms that pit themselves against one another like Catholic or Protestant, intellectual or emotional, feminist or patriarchal, activist or contemplative—instead of the wonderful holism of Jesus, a fully contemplative way of being active and involved in our suffering world. 

We can be grateful and content to let our historic churches and denominations take care of the substructures and the superstructures of Christianity. Some church communities are gifted and called to that, but most are not. Our churches have trained us, grounded us, and sent us on this radical mission. We will keep one happy foot in our mother churches, but we have something else that we must do and other places that we must also stand. We have no time to walk away from anything. We want to walk toward and alongside. [2] (Exodus, CHAPTER 17|USCCB, n.d.)

We, like Timothy, who benefit from the teaching and Wisdom of Sacred Scripture, implore the Spirit to guide our transformation to accept change in our ministry and persistence in seeking justice for all people.

References

Exodus, CHAPTER 17|USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/17?8 

Luke, CHAPTER 18. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/18?1 

Meditation on Luke 18:1-8. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/19/1410011/ 

Meze, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-19-2025 

Psalms, PSALM 121. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/121?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/welcoming-change/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Always Pray and Do Not Lose Heart. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Timothy, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/3?14 

2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/4