First Reading - Wisdom 18:14-16,19:6-9
Gospel - Luke 18:1-8
The first reading from the Book of Wisdom recalls God’s mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt. It tells of the night when the all-powerful Word of God leapt down from heaven, bringing salvation to His people and judgment to their oppressors. While Israel walked through the sea on dry land, their enemies were swallowed by the waters. What seemed impossible became possible because God was faithful to His promise. This story reminds us that God never forgets His people. Even when His timing seems slow, He is always working behind the scenes, preparing a way where there seems to be none.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge. The widow represents those who are weak, ignored, or powerless — yet her persistence wins justice from a man who neither fears God nor respects anyone. Jesus uses this striking image to show the power of perseverance in prayer. If even an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will a loving Father respond to His children who cry out to Him day and night? The question Jesus leaves us with is sobering: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” It is not a question about God’s faithfulness, but about ours.
Dear friends, in our lives, persistence in prayer is often tested by delay. We pray for healing, reconciliation, or guidance, and when the answer doesn’t come quickly, we’re tempted to give up. But prayer is not about bending God’s will to ours — it is about aligning our hearts with His, learning to trust even when we don’t understand. Every prayer offered in faith strengthens the soul and deepens our relationship with God. It is through perseverance that we grow in patience, humility, and hope.
Like the Israelites in the desert or the widow before the judge, we must keep walking, keep believing, and keep praying. God may not answer in the way we expect, but He always answers in the way that saves. Even silence can be an answer — an invitation to trust more deeply in His wisdom and timing.
So, let us not give up on prayer or on hope. Every time we turn to God, even with trembling faith, we affirm that He is greater than our struggles. When life feels dark or uncertain, remember that the same God who parted the Red Sea is still at work today. Perseverance in prayer is not just about asking — it’s about trusting that the One we pray to is already holding the answer in His hands. May our faith, though tested, remain steadfast, and may we keep our lamps burning with the light of hope until the Lord comes.
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