The Parousia seems long overdue, and disciples are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their faith. 

It calls us to maintain hope through the darkest of days,

reminds us that God will vindicate faithful disciples, and reassures the disciples that God hears their prayers.

 

Blessed Virgin Mary/ Dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul/

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-16; 19:6-9

While all was in quiet silence

And the night was in the middle of its course, your almighty word leapt down from the royal throne – a stern warrior to a doomed world. Carrying your fearful command like a sharpened sword and stretching from heaven to earth, he filled the universe with death.

 

All creation in its different forms was fashioned anew at your command, in order to protect your people. The cloud covered the camp with its shadow, dry land emerged where water had been. A safe passage was opened through the Red Sea, the tempestuous flood became a green plain where the whole nation of those protected by your hand passed across, witnessing your astounding deeds. They were like horses led to pasture, or like frolicking lambs, praising you, their Lord, who had delivered them.

 

Ps 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43 Remember the marvels the Lord has done!

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊     

Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told them a parable, to show them that they should pray continually and not lose heart. He said, "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor people. In the same town was a widow who kept coming to him, saying: 'Defend my rights against my opponent. For a time he refused, but finally he thought: 'Even though I neither fear God nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out."

 

And Jesus explained, "Listen to what the evil judge says. Will God not do justice for his chosen ones who cry to him day and night even if he delays in answering them?

I tell you, he will speedily do them justice. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Each of us has a role to play." 

I'm afraid that I don't have much in common with the widow in today's Gospel. I've never been the persistent sort. When things get difficult, my first instinct is to give up. After a little while, I usually get past that first instinct, but I still try to find the fastest way to end the challenge. The widow, on the other hand, convinced of the rightness of her cause, never ceased to pursue the justice she deserved.

 

We see the widow's heirs in our own world. These are people who work without ceasing to help make our world a better place. They work to educate children, eradicate disease, aid migrants, end wars, and protect the environment. Even when they are ignored, criticized, or threatened, they continue their efforts because they are convinced of the rightness of their causes.

 

We may not be called to change the world in these highly public ways, but each of us has a role to play. We can learn about the issues, talk to those in power and our neighbors, offer our time and treasure in support. Most of all, we can pray that God will reward their persistence.