Don’t lose heart is the message in today’s gospel. Can we really be bothered with God? How persistent are we in prayer and faith? Here’s our daily reflection.
BIBLE READINGS: You can find the readings for Saturday of Week 32 here (Universalis Website)
There are many derogatory terms used for Christians. Some of them are formed in the playground, often used to bully others— words such as “Bible Bashers” or “Bible Thumpers.”
Another such phrase is “God Botherer” which is actually used for those who appear to bother others with their faith even when it’s unwelcome. In some parts of the world, it’s used to describe those who go from door to door promoting their beliefs.
Perhaps we can turn that phrase on its head after hearing today’s gospel. Jesus tells a parable to his disciples about persistence in prayer. The widow in the story is constantly bothering the judge for justice. The judge appears to be full of himself, not really concerned about what God or others think about him—but in the end he relents simply to get rid of her.
We can’t entirely equate the judge with God because the focus of the story is really on the widow as an example of persistence. She just doesn’t give up. So, too, in our lives as Christians, Jesus says we should persist in prayer, reaching out to God constantly. It’s not so much about bothering God, but about being bothered with God.
However, our prayer shouldn’t be a simple shot in the dark, isolated from every other part of our lives—a desperate attempt to manoeuvre God into place. Our prayer should be full of faith, drawn from a life of faith which is persistent and ever present. His words today are words of encouragement. Don’t lose heart.
So the question is, “Can we really be bothered?”
MASS TODAY
Mass today on Saturday 15 November is at S Mary’s Church at 1130am.
There is also Sung Mass to celebrate St Dyfrig’s Patronal at 12 noon. You’re welcome!
DAY BY DAY
If you’d like more resources for daily prayer then check out our DAY BY DAY pages.
South Cardiff Ministry Area 