Jesus, the Suffering Servant, brings true justice.  He does not grow weary.  Nor does he rest till he brings justice to the earth.

We of St. Vincent’s family pray, for sure, for the end of war in Ukraine and Gaza.  Day after day, we ask for justice for the innocent caught in the crossfire, for the children, most of all.  And as we get no answer to our prayers, we risk getting weary.  We may come to think, too, that God is not close and does not listen.

No doubt, the chosen ones of Luke’s times ran the risk also of growing weary and losing faith.  Those with power oppressed and persecuted those who worked for God’s kingdom.  So, these asked for justice. 

Yet the times went on to be tough for them, and Jesus, besides, was slow to come back.  Hence, the teaching to them was that they should pray always and not grow weary.  And it was not out place to ask, “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

The call to pray always and in fellowship with others, as Moses, Aaron and Hur, and not get weary 

To be Christ’s own means to go through trials.  After all, to be his is to court hate, persecution (Jn 15, 18. 20; 2 Tim 3, 12).  And conflicts (SV.EN I:75).  But trials should drive us to put our trust in God.   

And he will not leave behind those who are his.  A wicked judge gives in and does justice to a nagging and annoying widow.  How much more, then, will the good God do justice for those who cry out to him day and night.

And it does not matter that we, nagging and annoying, whine.  For their whining opens onto a deep faith and a firm trust.  What matters is that our annoying and steadfast prayer turns into an annoying and steadfast action for justice on earth.

But be careful what we ask for, it may ask of us changes that hurt, so that God’s kingdom come.  So that his will be done on earth as in heaven, and so that love may transform the world.

Lord Jesus, grant that we consecrate our lives to preaching the Word, in season or out of season.  And to attaining right and justice for the poor.  Do not let us grow weary due to lack of results and of understanding on the part of others.  May the Holy Spirit change us completely (SV.EN IX:322).  Thus, we bad folks will not ask for bad things or in a bad way (St. Augustine).  Nourish us with your body and blood, so that the way to justice may not be too hard for us.

19 October 2025
29th Sunday in O.T. (C)
Ex 17, 8-13; 2 Tim 3, 14 – 4, 2; Lk 18, 1-8