SCRIPTURE 18:1-8
the parable of the persistent widow.
Then he told them 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?”
REFLECTION
We may not always get what we ask for in prayer but God hears every prayer. God knows you are dependent on Him to provide for your needs. You trust in Him to give you what you need. If you pray for yourself, God will provide. If you pray for others, God will provide. The key message here in this parable is don’t give up. God loves to hear from you. God is relational you know three persons in one God. You are His child and He loves when we acknowledge Him as Father.
God our Father is kind and merciful nothing like the judge in this parable who neither feared God nor respected any human being. Jesus closes with a question when Son of Man comes will he find faith on earth? Will we be found faithful? PRAY ALWAYS! Pray, Pray, Pray!
SCRIPTURE 18:9-14
the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector.
He then addressed this parable to those who are convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.
But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
REFLECTION
Jesus addresses this parable to those who make judgments on others. How are we in the judgment department? Do we shun some people? Do we write people off? We know what God has to say about that, Judge not less you be judged, the measure you measure to others will be measured to you.
Are we like that Pharisee boasting of our goodness? No one is good but God alone. Luke 18:18 Any good we do is by the grace of God. There we go but for the grace of God. Let us remember like the publican to prostrate ourselves before the Divine Mercy and say with the publican, O God, be merciful to me a sinner. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation we confess our sins, receive absolution and grace to sin no more. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
SCRIPTURE 18:18-30
the rich official.
An official asked him this question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother.’ And he replied, “All of these I have observed from my youth.
When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when he heard this he became quite sad, for he was very rich.
Jesus looked at him [now sad] and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard this said, “Then who can be saved?
And he said, “What is impossible for human beings is possible for God.” Then Peter said, “We have given up our possessions and followed you.” He said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not receive [back] an overabundant return in this present age and eternal life in the age to come.”
REFLECTION
A rich man came sincerely to Jesus to ask Him what he must do to be saved. The rich man asserts that he has kept the Law since his youth. Expecting to be rewarded, he is surprised at Jesus’ response, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Saddened, the rich official walked away for he was very rich.
Jesus wants more from us than just following the Law. He wants us in relationship with Him. Jesus became human that we might share in his divinity. Not by nature, but by adoption at our Baptism we become sons and daughters of God. How do we live that to the fullest on earth? By discarding our stuff and making Jesus number one. Jesus is the prize! Where your treasure is your hearts will be.
We say we all want to get to heaven to share in God’s divine life, why not start now? You don’t want to be a stranger at those pearly gates and hear, I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’” Luke 13:23-27
SCRIPTURE 18:35-43
the healing of the blind beggar.
Now as he approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David,* have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
REFLECTION
A blind beggar sitting along the road heard a big commotion, crowds and shouting like some celebrity was passing by and he inquired what is going on since he couldn’t see. Maybe, he thought he could make his day’s wages from such a crowd but then he heard, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
This is reminiscent of Old Testament scripture. Moses asked to see the glory of God. Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth. Exodus 34:6.
People accompanying Jesus tried to silence the beggar. They should have known better. They were beggars also. We should never try to push someone aside in our own self-interest even when what we are seeking is something good. Be generous. Spread the Good News. Don’t keep it to ourselves.
The blind beggar cried out the louder, “Jesus, Son of David,* have pity on me!” This stopped Jesus in his tracks. Faith will always get Jesus’ attention. Jesus asks that the beggar be brought to him and asks the beggar what he can do for him. Jesus already knows but wants the beggar to assert it just like Jesus wants to hear from us what we need. Be specific or ask Jesus to give you what you need if you can’t make up your mind.
The beggar replies, “Lord that I might see.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
The beggar did not go home to brag about seeing. He followed Jesus on the way and bore witness to others the Glory of God. Are we that kind of witness?