Date: Sunday, October 16, 2016
Jesus tells a parable to show that it is necessary always to pray and not to lose heart. It is more than growing tired and falling asleep and missing our night prayers. Jesus is speaking of a weariness that makes it difficult to pray. “Always praying” goes not mean babbling on with more words. Jesus teaches his disciples to pray: “Our Father.” Saturday was the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, the great Spanish mystic and contemplative Carmelite Nun. She says: “Prayer is nothing but friendly intercourse, and frequent solitary conversation, with Him who we know loves us.” Prayer is communion with God.
Prayer also makes us aware of our responsibilities in the world. In the parable of Jesus, a widow brings her case to an unjust judge who cares nothing about God and has no respect for others. The judge is not Jewish. The judge is appointed by the Roman Governor or the puppet King Herod. Jewish people called these magistrates: “robber judges.” But he relents and settles her just case because the widow is persistent. He worries that she will punch him in the eye. Prayer enables us to address issues of justice in the world without losing hope.
Prayer keeps us vigilant. “When the Son of Man comes will he find faith on earth?” Each day we can pray to recognize Jesus present and coming into our world. We can pray too for others who are so weary that they cannot pray themselves. Perhaps at our darkest moment there will be someone praying for us.