Oct. 20, 2019 29th Sunday C - Persistent Trust
Oct. 20, 2019 29th Sunday C - Persistent Trust
All of us are familiar with asking another person for something--a request for a meeting, a raise, a favor, or leniency. We know that when we ask for something, timing is as important as how we ask. I came across the following multiple choice question about the right timing for asking. The question is: When is it the best time to ask mom for a snack? The choices are: A. Right before dinner / B. Right after dinner / C. Right before bed / D. While eating a snack / E. When mom just sat down / F. When mom's in the bathroom / J. All of the Above. The little children know that when they ask their mom persistently, they’ll eventually get some or all for which they ask.
In the Parable of the Persistent Widow, Jesus speaks to us about the need for persistent trust in the Heavenly Father and not to lose heart even when we face discouragement, disappointment, doubt, and fear. Even before the words of prayer form on our lips, our loving Father in Heaven knows our needs. Unlike the unjust judge who gives in to the request of the widow because of her nagging persistence, our Father in Heaven is more than generous in granting what is good for us. At times we may become impatient with the timing of when or if our prayer requests are granted. As we pray, we may realize that the very thing we desire is not what we need. As we focus on God and not on what we want, we open ourselves to become what God desires for us.
St. Teresa of Avila taught a simple prayer to her sisters to remind them not to be disturbed by daily troubles and difficulties.
“Let nothing trouble you. Let nothing frighten you. For everything passes but God will never change. Patient endurance will obtain everything. Whoever has God, wants for nothing at all. God alone is enough. Whoever has God, wants for nothing at all.” The trials we face are temporary, and God’s love for us is unchanging. So she reminds us to be patient and endure daily challenges with trust.
St. Paul was familiar with enduring hardships patiently as he covered thousands of miles preaching about the gospel. He reminds us, “Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.” We proclaim God’s words through the way we live out our lives. We can pause to pray anytime, whether in the car, while typing away in front of a computer, or right before looking down on our phones. Do we believe that our prayer to the Father feeds and sustains us? While a child may believe that persistence will get him snack anytime he wants, Our Lord is teaching us that what we want may not be what we need. Our Heavenly Father knows what we truly need. Whether convenient or inconvenient, will we make our whole life into prayer, praising Him, thanking Him, and presenting our needs before Him, trusting that God will give us what we need?
