REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 32ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR 1 18TH NOVEMBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 32ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR 1 18TH NOVEMBER 2023

Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9; Ps.105; Luke 18:1-8

Prayer works: do it always

In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches us the need to be persistent in our prayers. This is an invitation to trust in God wholeheartedly. This teaching first assures us that God answers prayers. Prayer is indeed the raising up of our minds and hearts to God. It is not a make-belief or an exercise in futility. If there is a man to pray, there is a God to answer.

This teaching further educates us on the need never to stop praying irrespective of what may be our experience in prayer. Prayer will not always give us what we request for, the way we request for it and when we expect to receive our request. However, that should not make us think less of prayer as ineffective or as one of the many options that man could adopt. We must never approach prayer with the attitude of someone who is attempting one of the numerous solutions to a particular problem. This is a sign of lack of faith. We must approach prayer as the only and final resort to our needs.

Therefore, when God may seem not to be answering our prayers, we still need to keep praying. The fact is that God is not limited by our expectations. He wants the best for us and will always give us the best; but let us trust him that he alone actually knows what is best for us. To fully understand how prayer works, we need to have the mind of God.

The only obstruction to prayer is sin. If we are reconciled with God, then we must entertain no doubt as to the efficiency of prayer. The greatest answer that can be given to any prayer is to spend eternity with God. So, if our present request(s) to God will not lead us to heaven, it will be charity on the part of God not to grant it/them to us.

Beloved, when the going gets though, do not cease to pray; when all seem to be going well, do not forget your need of God. If we are not praying then we will not be in a relationship with him. Without first relating with God here on earth, we won’t be able to relate with him in heaven.