29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Ex 17:8-13
Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
2 Tm 3:14--4:2
Lk 18:1-8

If you love a story with a twist, you've got to like the parables of Jesus. Today we have another surprising one: Once upon a time there was an unjust judge who was badgered by a widow in his town until he relented and gave her justice.

Now—did you get the twist in the story?

Scripture scholar Barbara Reid suggests that we might see the widow as the hero of the story, and as an image of God. Now there's a twist! Could Jesus have intended us to focus on a character who is defenseless in her society, seemingly helpless, as the one who fights for justice until she wins? If we put her in the context of Christ's own triumph over suffering and death, it makes a lot of sense. Christ was powerless before those who led him to the cross, but won victory in that seeming defeat.

We may seem powerless before all that is unjust in our world. We may even pray—a lot—for those on the side of good to triumph over evil. And since the answers to our prayers often seem slow in coming, we may get discouraged and lose heart. But Jesus' parable today encourages not to. We're to keep praying—and working—for peace and justice. God is with us in the struggle.

I’m Father Greg Friedman, with the "Sunday Soundbite" for St. Anthony Messenger Press, on the Web at FranciscanRadio.org.

Scripture:

•Moses kept his hands raised up. (Exodus 17:12)

•Remain faithful. (2 Timothy 3:14)

•Be persistent whether it be convenient or inconvenient. (2 Timothy 4:2)

•Pray always. (Luke 18:1)

•Call out to him day and night. (Luke 18:7)

Reflection:

•What is your prayer? How do you pray?

•How do you remove the obstacles, the distractions to prayer?

•Do you set aside a special time or place to pray regularly?

•Do you persist through times of spiritual “dryness”?

•Do you have regular prayer routine?

Spirituality without a prayer life is no spirituality at all, and it will not last beyond the first defeats. Prayer is an opening of the self so that the Word of God can break in and make us new. Prayer unmasks. Prayer converts. Prayer impels. Prayer sustains us on the way. Pray for the grace it will take to continue what you would like to quit. (Joan Chittister, O.S.B.)