Pray Always – Luke 18:1-8 Reflection
You likely had periods within your life when your faith became weaker. Forgetting to pray is often part of either leading up to or during these times. My own experience is that this is when evil can subtly slip between the cracks. The cracks open enough to let selfishness, pride, independence, and other vices rise to the forefront. When virtues through consistent prayer are not protecting thoughts, doubting in God also rises to the surface. If you are struggling with getting prayer going, Saint John of the Cross gives us a short poem prayer titled Stillness of Soul that we can use. “O Blessed Jesus, give me stillness of soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of Gentleness, King of Peace.” We need to pray always, no matter how small. This is especially true when you are conflicted. God hears your cries and will give you what you need to restore and maintain the luster of your soul so Jesus can become visible.
He Who is of God Hears the Word of God by James Tissot (full resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 18:1-8 – Scripture*
The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ 4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 18:1-8 Reflection – Pray Always.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections of the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 18 Bible passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.