FIRST READING
3 John 5-8
Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters, especially for strangers; they have testified to your love before the Church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever. Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice; He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
ALLELUIA
See 2 Thessalonians 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel, to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
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?”
REFLECTIONS:
What can a shameless and unjust judge pitted against
a crusty and pestering woman teach us about justice and vindication in
the kingdom of God? Jesus tells a story that is all too true a defenseless
widow is taken advantaged of and refused her rights. Through sheer persistence
she wears down an unscrupulous judge until he gives her justice. Persistence
pays off, and that's especially true for those who trust in God. Jesus
illustrates how God as our Judge is much quicker to bring us his justice,
blessing, and help when we need it. But we can easily lose heart and forget
to ask our heavenly Father for his grace and help. Jesus told this parable
to give fresh hope and confidence to his disciples. In this present life
we can expect trials and adversity, but we are not without hope in God.
The Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the
injustices perpetrated by his creatures and that God's love is stronger
than death (Song of Songs 8:6). The just who put their trust in God can
look forward with hope to that day when they will receive their reward.
Jesus ends his parable with a probing question for us. Will you and
I have faith the faith that perseveres to the end when Jesus returns
in glory to judge the living and the dead? Faith is an entirely free gift
that God makes to us. If we want to live, grow, and persevere in faith
until the end, then we must nourish our faith with the word of God and
ask the Lord to increase it (Luke 17:5). When trials and setbacks disappoint
you, where do you place your hope? Do you pray with expectant faith and
confidence in God's merciful care and providence for you?
"Lord Jesus, make my faith strong that I may never doubt your promises.
When I face trials and difficulties, help me to trust in your unfailing
love and to find joy and contentment in you alone."
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