November 12, 2016

St. Josaphat

Lk 18: 1-8

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Finding Faith

We are only two weeks away from the end of this year of faith and mercy. We are about to move into the Advent season with its preparation for Christmas. The question Jesus asks at the end of today’s gospel passage puts this end-of-the year journey into perspective: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?”

Jesus’ question during these end-of-the-year weeks invites us to look back as we also look forward. What moments of faith have I experienced during 2016? How does grace come alive in my attitudes and actions? Am I a person of hope? Do I quietly tried to offer perspective in messy situations? To give others the benefit of the doubt? To be generous in my attitudes and relationships? Am I person “for others”?

—The Jesuit prayer team

Prayer

All good gifts around us
Are sent from Heaven above...
Then thank the Lord, Oh thank the Lord, for all his love…

—lyrics from the musical Godspell, © 1971