29th Sunday in OT – C – Sermon thoughts (LK 18, 1-8)
This Sunday offers us two readings asserting the necessity of continual prayer. In the First reading from Exodus, we hear, Moses helps Joshua in the battle: not with his physical power, but with the spiritual one. He climbs the mountain with Aaron and Hur to pray for his people. And the scripture describes as long as Moses lifted up his hand in prayers, the Israelites were powerful.
Some different story is heard in the Gospel today. It is about a Judge and a widow. The Judge was a man “who neither feared God nor respected any human being” says Luke. But the uninterrupted petition of the Widow for “justice” pushes him to take some action, for her advantage.
Jesus tries to explain the need of Prayer with the help of this figure, but certainly this Judge cannot be placed with the figure of God.
God is better than this Judge. Jesus’ message is that.
His aim is to animate his listeners: to not to give up the prayers, even if they think that their prayers are not heard.
The woman pleads for “a just decision” (it is the better explanation of “revenge” in Hebrew-Context).
We don’t need much to hear about prayer, because it is hundred times said. Everything might be only mere repetition. In that case let us think about the relation between Prayer and Justice, for a while.
Many of us are daily asked to do it- to take a just decision- if there is a child at home. We know children have many needs. They for any extend to get their needs satisfied. At first they may ask, later on it can be turned in to cry, some may go for even “hunger-strike”. But all their needs are not satisfied: the parents’ takes decision – a right and just decision. It is permitted if it is good, otherwise it is rejected.
Justice; it is the Will of God for Jesus. His prayers were based on that; the will of God must be done. All his prayers were not satisfied.
Jesus, yes, the only Son of God had to undergo the passion and sufferings; his prayers were “unheard” for many at least for some days. Till they realize the moments of his resurrection. Yes that was the “justice”, the “will of God”. The prayers of Jesus had their full fruit in that moment.
Some times we are to follow this secret ways; Pains and Illness, pressure and criticisms: but it is not the end.
Let us not forget the truth; we aren’t greater than Jesus, the Son of God. If he had to suffer, then why can’t we too? If his prayers were rejected till the resurrection, why can’t it happen to me and you?
Finally, he asked us to “take the cross and follow”.
It also means to Remain in prayer; to be with God, even in your trails and tribulations; even in the moments of sorrow and rejection.
He says and asserts his message with his Life- resurrected:
You will have a day of Justice;
you will enjoy the will of God;
you will have a day of resurrection.
Let us remain in prayers in patience. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
This Sunday offers us two readings asserting the necessity of continual prayer. In the First reading from Exodus, we hear, Moses helps Joshua in the battle: not with his physical power, but with the spiritual one. He climbs the mountain with Aaron and Hur to pray for his people. And the scripture describes as long as Moses lifted up his hand in prayers, the Israelites were powerful.
Some different story is heard in the Gospel today. It is about a Judge and a widow. The Judge was a man “who neither feared God nor respected any human being” says Luke. But the uninterrupted petition of the Widow for “justice” pushes him to take some action, for her advantage.
Jesus tries to explain the need of Prayer with the help of this figure, but certainly this Judge cannot be placed with the figure of God.
God is better than this Judge. Jesus’ message is that.
His aim is to animate his listeners: to not to give up the prayers, even if they think that their prayers are not heard.
The woman pleads for “a just decision” (it is the better explanation of “revenge” in Hebrew-Context).
We don’t need much to hear about prayer, because it is hundred times said. Everything might be only mere repetition. In that case let us think about the relation between Prayer and Justice, for a while.
Many of us are daily asked to do it- to take a just decision- if there is a child at home. We know children have many needs. They for any extend to get their needs satisfied. At first they may ask, later on it can be turned in to cry, some may go for even “hunger-strike”. But all their needs are not satisfied: the parents’ takes decision – a right and just decision. It is permitted if it is good, otherwise it is rejected.
Justice; it is the Will of God for Jesus. His prayers were based on that; the will of God must be done. All his prayers were not satisfied.
Jesus, yes, the only Son of God had to undergo the passion and sufferings; his prayers were “unheard” for many at least for some days. Till they realize the moments of his resurrection. Yes that was the “justice”, the “will of God”. The prayers of Jesus had their full fruit in that moment.
Some times we are to follow this secret ways; Pains and Illness, pressure and criticisms: but it is not the end.
Let us not forget the truth; we aren’t greater than Jesus, the Son of God. If he had to suffer, then why can’t we too? If his prayers were rejected till the resurrection, why can’t it happen to me and you?
Finally, he asked us to “take the cross and follow”.
It also means to Remain in prayer; to be with God, even in your trails and tribulations; even in the moments of sorrow and rejection.
He says and asserts his message with his Life- resurrected:
You will have a day of Justice;
you will enjoy the will of God;
you will have a day of resurrection.
Let us remain in prayers in patience. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
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