(REMEMBER TO PRAY IN THIS MONTH OF NOVEMBER FOR YOUR RELATIVES, LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE DIED).
COLLECT: “ALMIGHTY AND MERCIFUL GOD, GRACIOUSLY KEEP FROM US ALL ADVERSITY, SO THAT, UNHINDERED IN MIND AND BODY ALIKE, WE MAY PURSUE IN FREEDOM OF HEART THE THINGS THAT ARE YOURS. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9; Ps 104:2-3,36-37,42-43 and Lk 18:1-8.
God will always treat his people differently with kindness, love, compassion, and mercy, especially in their troubled times, when they turn to him in prayer. The whole of Wisdom 16 to 19 (the last chapters of the Book of Wisdom) informs us about how God treats his people, Israel and the Egyptians differently. The portion we meditate on today shows the Lord’s immense power as he delivers the Israelites from Egypt.
The parable of the Unjust Judge used by Jesus in today’s Gospel is a very eloquent and excellent lesson about the effectiveness of persevering, confident prayer. Jesus combines his teaching about perseverance in prayer with a serious warning about the need to remain firm in the faith.
Faith and prayer go hand in hand. One cannot exist without the other. According St. Augustine, “To pray, let us believe; and for our faith not to weaken, let us pray. Faith causes prayer to grow, and when prayer grows our faith is strengthened” (Sermon, 115). When we persevere in prayer and our faith is firm and strong, no matter what we battle or struggle with in life, we will not give up.
“Jesus told his disciples this parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary” (Lk 18:1). Among the several reasons we must always pray are: As believers, human and mortal, we should always recognise our limitations and the need to depend on God through prayer. Prayer is our “life-wire” and our “telephone line” connecting us with the Lord. Prayer directs us in whatever we do in life. Prayer is the key to our life’s locked doors. In prayer, we can fight and overcome Satan and evil. We could go on and on but suffice it.
If we want our prayers answered by the Lord, certain things must come into play when we pray. Saint James gave some recommendations in this regard. We should endure all things and endure or persevere in prayer. Make your request to God in faith-not in doubt. Be joyful at prayer and in all situations. Direct all your prayers to God. Prayer should not be self-centred.
Pray for others, even your enemies for their conversion. Confess your sins when praying. Concentrate and stay focused when praying. Do not allow distractions and detractions to take you off track when praying. Always give thanks to God (Cf. James 1:2-8). May the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) and Saint Albert the Great intercede for us. Stay blessed and happy feast to all who bear the name Albert.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, SATURDAY, ON THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES: ‘THE ANNUNCIATION, THE VISITATION, THE BIRTH OF JESUS, THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE AND THE FINDING OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE’. (LET US PRAY FOR HUMILITY, LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR, POVERTY IN SPIRIT, OBEDIENCE AND JOY IN FINDING JESUS)
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “NOURISHED BY THE SACRED GIFTS, O LORD, WE GIVE YOU THANKS AND BESEECH YOUR MERCY, THAT, BY THE POURING FORTH OF YOUR SPIRIT, THE GRACE OF INTEGRITY MAY ENDURE IN THOSE YOUR HEAVENLY POWER HAS ENTERED. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com.
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