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| “St. Elizabeth of Hungary” Artist and Date UNKNOWN |
Reading 1: 3 John 5-8
Commentary on 3 Jn 5-8
St. John is reaching out to Gaius in this short pastoral letter. This passage grasps the central message of the entire letter. In it, we hear the evangelist exhorting his brother to continue to lend material support to early Christian missionaries as they go among the Gentiles spreading the Good News. (“For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans.”) The use of “the Name” is a clear reference to the reverence owed to Christ (see also Philippians 2:9).
CCC: 3 Jn 7 432
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
In this section of Psalm 112, the virtues of faithfully following God’s commandments are extolled. This hymn of David exalts the person who follows the Law of God. A number of actions associated with this faithfulness are presented, including acts of generosity, mercy, charity, and honesty. The virtues of faithfully following God’s commandments are praised, and the one who follows the Lord will be upheld by God “in everlasting remembrance.”
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Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
Commentary on Lk 18:1-8
This is the first of two parables on the need for prayer found in St. Luke’s Gospel. In this selection, the Lord tells the disciples of the need for persistent prayer so they do not fall victim to apostasy. He assures them that God, the Just Judge, will listen to their prayers, and come speedily to their aid in times of need.
“As the widow pleaded for justice, so we should persevere in faith and tirelessly petition God for our needs (Romans 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)” In v.6, “His [the unrighteous judge’s] indifference to the widow’s distress was a violation of justice (Deuteronomy 27:19). The parable’s outcome is thus a mere shadow of God’s concern for us. If an unjust and callous judge will vindicate a persevering widow, the Father will much more come to the aid of his prayerful children (Sirach 35:12-17).” [4]
The question at the end of the parable (“But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”) completes a thought in Luke 17:37, which relates the relationship of the faithful to God at the final judgment.
CCC: Lk 18:1-8 2573, 2613; Lk 18:1 2098; Lk 18:8 675
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Reflection:
The parable from St. Luke’s Gospel on the need for the disciples to pray constantly has a sort of “folksy” ring to it. It demonstrates a relationship to God that is, at once, very personal, and at the same time, respectful. The dishonest judge would have rendered a judgment in favor of the widow had she been able to bribe him. As the story goes, he renders that judgment because of her persistence. Jesus uses this story as a contrast rather than an example of the effect our constant prayers have on the “Just Judge.” The dishonest judge intentionally delayed in rendering judgment. Jesus tells the disciples that the Father will act quickly to answer the prayers of his children.
We think the analogy of the mother of an adolescent child probably shows us the relationship Jesus has in mind. The youngster sees things in black and white terms, and feels that fairness is their right. So, when they have what they perceive is a “need,” they go quickly to their mother. The child wants/expects their request to be acted upon quickly; it is after all a dire need. At that age all needs are dire. The mother, in her wisdom sees the bigger picture, and understands that, perhaps, the excruciating need their child has expressed for, say, an iPhone, might not be quite as life-changing as other needs. Yet when that same child is truly in need of help, their mother will move heaven and earth, at the speed of light if she can, to see the child is protected from harm or gets a deserved reward.
God sees and hears our prayers in the same way. Some prayers God sees as beyond the scope of his direct involvement, others he sees as unrealistic or absurd. Still other prayers he sees already answered, although we may not see or understand how that is possible. An example of that “already answered prayer” is the dying person’s prayer: “Please don’t let me die.” God has already answered that prayer, but not in the way the person requests. God has opened the door to eternal life. All that is necessary is for the person leaving this life to accept God’s offer.
Without getting into a deep discussion about death and life, there is a quote from Spe Salvi we can offer here. “Saint Ambrose, one of the Church Fathers, in the funeral discourse for his deceased brother Satyrus: 'Death was not part of nature; it became part of nature. God did not decree death from the beginning; he prescribed it as a remedy. Human life, because of sin ... began to experience the burden of wretchedness in unremitting labor and unbearable sorrow. There had to be a limit to its evils; death had to restore what life had forfeited. Without the assistance of grace, immortality is more of a burden than a blessing.'”[5]
The clear message from St. Luke’s Gospel is that we must pray constantly. We express our needs to the Father in confidence, knowing that he hears us and will answer (although the answer may be “no”). Today we offer a prayer for more prayer. Through God’s grace he hears us, and in his mercy he gives us life in abundance.
Pax
[1] The picture is “St. Elizabeth of Hungary” Artist and Date UNKNOWN.
[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. p. 140.
[5] SPE SALVI, 10., De excessu fratris sui Satyri, II, 47: CSEL 73, 274.
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