Twenty-nineth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today “Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray ALWAYS without becoming weary.” I highlight the word always but it is even more challenging because He adds without becoming weary. The parable gives us the why to do it and it is basically because we need it and it is effective! But it does not give us the how.
Jesus himself shows us the how. His whole life is prayer as he witnesses what he is preaching. Sometimes we think prayer is kneeling in front of the Blessed Sacrament. This is definitely prayer but not only. Jesus with his life shows us a broader understanding of prayer. Prayer is a relationship with God. This relationship is expressed not only in the words that I say to God or the words that I listen from God for example in the Bible or people I love or nature but also it is expressed in the actions I do as in any relationship. When I want to express love to someone it is not only done through words but also in the things that I do. You see, the language of prayer is love which is God himself. Whenever I do anything I do as an act of love to God it is prayer.
Now this is not easy. As we do things it is very easy to be distracted and forget about the main reason why we are doing it. Therefore it is important that each one of us has time to be able to go back to what is fundamental, which is this relationship with God. Even Jesus witnessed he needed moments of intimacy, of going away, of isolation where he could have a moment of intimacy with the Father. He used to do it sometimes very early in the morning or sometimes very late at night. This would focus all his action as a manifestation of loving obedience to the Father which is all prayer.
And about getting weary, when you love someone you do not get tired of being in a relationship with that person. Moreover, it is not a source of joy, life and energy. This is what the Lord is inviting us into: A relationship with God that does not make you tired but gives you Life! Eternal Life! With patience and perseverance let us walk in that direction. The Lord is constantly with you to help you reach that goal.
God bless you!
Fr. Carlos
