Weekly Reflection - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (2022)

"Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?" (Lk. 18:7)

This Sunday is the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time.  Jesus teaches us the need to persevere in prayer in the parable of the inopportune widow.  We often question whether God hears our prayers.  In our mind we ask for something that we think will bring us happiness or relieve us from suffering.  God only has three responses to our requests: yes, no or not yet.

When God's answer is not yet, it does not mean he doesn't care for us or is ignoring us.  Jesus revealed to us the face of a loving Father who only desires the best for his children.  Because we are not God, we shouldn't keep asking him "why?" but rather keep our arms lifted as Moses in the first reading. St. Paul asked Jesus to take away a "thorn" he desired to be relieved of.  Instead of removing it, Jesus answered him "My grace is sufficient for you."

Questions for Reflection: 

• Do I pray without ceasing? 
• Do I recognize that there is not one prayer of mine that God does not hear? 
• When I don't receive the answer as I would like, am I able to submit to the designs of a loving God whose divine wisdom governs all things?