"And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?." Luke 18:8
When I am introduced to something new I become on fire; a zealot for the cause, or a recipe, a restaurant or a video series (have you seen Fr. Jonathan Emery's Socially Sourced video series https://youtu.be/hxa8uQLx97s). Over time my energy may wane or sour if others do not feel the same way as I do, or even oppose.
Similar challenges may face the Christian today which is precisely the lesson in today's Gospel (Lk 18:1-8) of the unfortunate widow. Widows in the time of Christ were basely regarded, yet because of her persistence she receives her request. Jesus is teaching us a quality of prayer: it is necessary to pray always without ceasing and with the patience of faith (CCC 2613). Jesus goes further comparing the unjust judge to God who will answer "his chosen ones who cry to him day and night." Our challenge in Courageously Living the Gospel is patient perseverance in prayer especially in the face of global pandemics, or local challenges to our humanity – so that Christ will find faith on earth when He comes. And, prayer is not always on our knees; rather we can proclaim the Gospel in our actions, inviting others, and being willing to encounter Christ in the face of the other.
Will Christ find faith in my heart?
Lord, I may want to be on fire for you, but teach me also to have a long smolder, keeping my faith alive and active throughout my life. Amen.
Reflection by:
Alan Gauzens
Did You Know...
Alan Gauzens is a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dunedin. There, he is a lector and active in men's ministries including the Knights of Columbus, That Man Is You! and Tap Into Discipleship. A 2019 graduate of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute, Alan and his wife Joanne have been married for 40 years and are blessed with 4 children.
