MARY'S LOVE

Luke 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?”

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In this Gospel passage, we are told of the need to continually pray, and never give up. I am reminded of the story of Monica, the mother of Augustine, who prayed for years and years for his conversion, and the prayer was finally answered. It's about never losing heart, never losing hope, always believing that God will deliver on his promises as he says that he will, even if he does it in his own time. Jesus ends this gospel with a somber question, "Is there faith on the earth?" As one looks around, one perceives that faith in God does seem to be diminishing in our modern culture. Therefore, we who have faith, have a duty to make known the presence of the living God, the futility of relying on the things of the world, and the hope of eternal salvation that we have in Jesus Christ.

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Let us pray: Lord, give us the patience and wisdom to hear your words and to follow them. Give us the strength and resolve to follow you, no matter what happens. Jesus, we ask that you would make our hearts like your sacred heart; so that we can love unconditionally, forgive completely, and offer up our lives for the salvation of the world. And we make this prayer in your most holy and precious name.

Amen