October 17, 2010 ~ Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Liturgical Year C, Cycle II
First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Second Reading: Second Timothy 3:14--4:2
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
Reflection Questions
1. Describe the persistence of the widow in as much detail as possible. What do you think the judge was thinking about her, and why would her pressure have made him give in to her demands? Why would he even care about her enough to take her pressure seriously?
2. Was Jesus wrong or lying when, at the end of the Gospel, He used the word ‘speedily’? Doesn’t it seem, at times, like God answers our prayers and requests too slowly? Give an example from your life when you thought God acted too slowly? What do you think Jesus meant by using the word ‘speedily’?
3. What’s your common reaction when the going gets tough? Do you dig your heals in for the long haul, or do you leave the situation and do something else? Describe a situation that shows this? In the future, how can you be more steadfast with God?
Summary of the Gospel
You’ve heard the expression, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’. Would this describe your faith in Christ? Our Gospel this Sunday is a challenge to be consistent and determined in our relationship with Jesus. Jesus uses the parable of the dishonest judge to show us the importance of having persistent faith and prayer. The judge is called ‘dishonest’ because he fears neither God nor man – He is not motivated by justice, but by his personal convenience. In one of his cases, he is faced with an unrelenting and (to him an) annoying widow who wants the judge to deliver a decision in her favor. Her nagging drives the judge to the point of giving her the favor of the verdict - all so he doesn’t have to deal with her anymore.
Jesus makes the point that if a dishonest judge will listen to persistent arguments, God will listen to our constant prayers to Him. Many times we want to fall away from our faith when the going gets tough, yet God desires us to love Him above all things at all times. God always hears us, He knows our deepest desires and sufferings, and He longs to heal us and bring good to our lives. What makes it difficult for us is that we expect God to be like our local ‘Burger King’: We want to have it our way, and we want it now. This assumes that we know what is best for ourselves, which is rarely the case.
God knows what is best for us and always gives us what we need, not just to survive today, but ultimately He gives us the grace, day in and day out, to get to heaven when we die. We are often focused on the little picture (what do I need to get done today?), while God is focused on both the little and big (what do I need to do so I can get to heaven when I die?) pictures.
Our life is a test, an opportunity to love God even though we can’t clearly see Him. This is how our love for Him is tested. Will we be so committed to Him that, even though we don’t see Him clearly, we will love Him more than anything else? The challenge that Jesus leaves us in this Gospel reading is to always be ready, to always have faith that He is in control. He will give us what we need when we need it, no matter how bad life gets – let us have the grace to never forget to ask Him for His blessings.
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