October 15/16 - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 18:1-8 Pray always. (Luke 18:1) Do you want a summary of today's readings? Keep praying! You may need support, like Moses in the first reading, but keep praying! You may need to persevere, like the widow in the Gospel, but keep praying! Why? Because our God is far better than the unjust judge. Our God loves us; His desires are good and He promises to answer us. It sounds so simple: If we just pray hard enough, with enough faith, God will act. He will bring healing or reconciliation or victory over sin - and all will be well. But let's be honest; sometimes it doesn't work that way. Sometimes God is “slow to answer” (Luke 18:7). And sometimes it seems that He doesn't answer us at all. So how do we handle unanswered prayers? This is one of life's hardest questions. Even Jesus prayed that His “cup” of suffering would pass - and it didn't (Matthew 26:39). He prayed for all believers to be one - and we aren’t (John 17:21). Even so, Jesus tells us to pray always and not grow weary because in the end, God will see that Justice is done (Luke 18:1, 7). Perhaps there's more to persisting than praying hard until we get our answer. Maybe it also means clinging to God when He seems distant. Maybe it means praying for a miracle while also surrendering to God's mysterious plan. Maybe persisting looks like Jesus in Gethsemane. on to God’s love and trust Him. And like Jesus, we can persist in surrendering to God’s ways, even when we don’t understand. “Not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus knows that none of this is easy. But the God who sends angels to comfort Jesus will strengthen you. And one day He will bring you into His presence. So, until then, keep praying. Trust and hope in the Lord who will make all things new. “Lord, in Your goodness, answer me.” Exodus 17: 8-13 Psalm 121:1-8 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2