Pastoral Reflections Institute

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Reflections on Scripture | Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time


Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

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11-18-23 Reflections on Scripture | Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time


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?”

Reflection

Jesus has encouraged us to pray for the things that we know need to change. Wars that need to end. Systems that need to serve their people instead of themselves.

And we pray, and then we don't see any changes, and we pray more and still no changes, and we pray more and then we give up. Jesus is saying, don't ever give up on me. Don't ever stop praying. Because when you give up on me, you have stopped the flow of life that I can use you to accomplish things.

Trust it’s always moving in the right direction.

Closing Prayer

Father, give us patience as we work with you to unveil for those who are in darkness, the light of your kingdom. Don't ever let us give up because of time. Time is not the thing that we need to pay attention to, not when things will happen, but our belief that they will happen. Give us that conviction, it enables us to pray in the most effective way. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.


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