Friday, November 17, 2023

18-NOV-'23, Memorial of Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul


Memorial of Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

(Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time)

Lectionary: 496


Reading I

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

When peaceful stillness compassed everything

and the night in its swift course was half spent,

Your all-powerful word, from heaven’s royal throne

bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land,

bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree.

And as he alighted, he filled every place with death;

he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth.


For all creation, in its several kinds, was being made over anew,

serving its natural laws,

that your children might be preserved unharmed.

The cloud overshadowed their camp;

and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging:

Out of the Red Sea an unimpeded road,

and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood.

Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand,

after they beheld stupendous wonders.

For they ranged about like horses,

and bounded about like lambs,

praising you, O Lord! their deliverer.


Responsorial Psalm

105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43

R.    (5a) Remember the marvels the Lord has done!

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Sing to him, sing his praise,

    proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

Glory in his holy name;

    rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!

R.    Remember the marvels the Lord has done!

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Then he struck every firstborn throughout their land,

    the first fruits of all their manhood.

And he led them forth laden with silver and gold,

    with not a weakling among their tribes.

R.    Remember the marvels the Lord has done!

or:

R.    Alleluia.

For he remembered his holy word

    to his servant Abraham.

And he led forth his people with joy;

    with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.

R.    Remember the marvels the Lord has done!

or:

R.    Alleluia.


Alleluia

See 2 Thessalonians 2:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God has called us through the Gospel,

to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel

Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable

about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. 

He said, “There was a judge in a certain town

who neither feared God nor respected any human being. 

And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,

‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’

For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,

‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, 

because this widow keeps bothering me

I shall deliver a just decision for her

lest she finally come and strike me.’” 

The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. 

Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones

who call out to him day and night? 

Will he be slow to answer them? 

I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. 

But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”


Reflection 1

Catholic Daily Reflections


Praying for the Will of God


The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.” Luke 18:6–8


It’s interesting that Jesus uses the example of a dishonest judge to illustrate the importance of praying to God, calling out to Him day and night for justice. As the parable goes, this judge cared little about a widow in his town who continually came to him asking for a just decision. He felt as though she was continually bothering him. Because she was so persistent, the judge thought to himself, “…because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.” Jesus’ conclusion from this parable is quoted above.


The simple lesson we ought to learn from this parable is that we must be persistent in prayer. God will always answer our prayers, seeing to it that “justice is done” speedily. But many people have prayed and prayed and prayed for some situation, prayed even for justice, and it appeared that God did not answer their prayer. Thus, some may question the promise of Jesus that persistent prayer will always be answered and justice always be rendered.


If this is your experience, it is essential that you remind yourself of two things. First, Jesus’ words are true. When we persevere in prayer and trust in God, He hears us and answers. This is our Lord’s unwavering promise. But secondly, the “justice” that God delivers may often be different than the justice we expect. It may be that we want someone to pay for a wrong they did to us, but after praying fervently, our expectation is not met by our Lord. For this reason, it is essential that we know that God answers every prayer we pray, but in accord with His perfect will and wisdom. Therefore, God’s view of justice at times may be very different than ours. At times, His justice is satisfied by His invitation to us to show mercy in abundance. True mercy always satisfies justice.


Take, for example, the case of someone speaking in a rude manner to you. If you offer that situation to our Lord, He will enter in and provide His grace for you to deal with it in accord with His will. Perhaps He will soften the other person’s heart so that they apologize, or perhaps, if they don’t apologize and their heart is not softened, then God’s answer to your prayer will be to give you the grace of humility so that you can love that person despite their unrepentance. Regardless of the way our Lord intervenes, the fact remains that He will intervene and enable you to fulfill His perfect will. If, however, your prayer is that the person be held accountable and condemned, then you are trying to tell God what to do, and He will not accede to your request. All of our prayer must ultimately be for the fulfillment of God’s perfect will in accord with His wisdom.


Reflect, today, upon how completely you trust in God. Do you know, with certainty, that He will answer every prayer that you fervently pray with faith in accord with His divine will? Believing this is freeing and enables you to live more fully in union with Him. If there is some issue with which you struggle right now, even some apparent injustice, then entrust it to our Lord, day and night without ceasing, and know that His grace will guide you as He answers you in accord with His will.


Reflection 2

One Bread, One Body


FAST ANSWERS TO PRAYER


“I tell you, He will give them swift justice.” —Luke 18:8


There’s a certain kind of prayer that results in “swift justice.” God will not delay long over us when we pray in this way (Lk 18:7). In this way of prayer, we call out to God “day and night” (Lk 18:7) and realize that at all times, even at the best of times, we are in desperate need of God. In this prayer, we cry out: “Save us by Your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but You, O Lord” (Est C:25). We pray with the Psalmist: “Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!” (Ps 130:1) We pray as Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemani (Mk 14:32ff). When we pray in this way, we understand “the necessity of praying always and not losing heart” (Lk 18:1).


It takes faith to face, head on, the terrible condition of our world and our desperate need for God. However, when we pray in faith, aware of our total dependence on God, and call out to the Lord day and night, God’s “all-powerful Word from heaven’s royal throne” will bound into our doomed land (Wis 18:15). The Lord will save us. He will intervene, break through, and set us free.


Will anyone pray the prayer of necessity and faith? “When the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?” (Lk 18:8)


Prayer:  Father, “increase our faith” (Lk 17:5).


Promise:  “They ranged about like horses, and bounded about like lambs, praising You, O Lord! their Deliverer.” —Wis 19:9


Praise:  At the age of seventy-one, St. Rose began a school for Native American children. She had strength for everything in Jesus (Phil 4:13).


Reflection 3

The Servants of the Word


Always Pray and Do Not Lose Heart


What can a shameless and unjust judge pitted against a crusty and pestering woman teach us about justice and vindication in the kingdom of God? Jesus tells a story that is all too true - a defenseless widow is taken advantaged of and refused her rights. Through sheer persistence she wears down an unscrupulous judge until he gives her justice. Persistence pays off, and that's especially true for those who trust in God. Jesus illustrates how God as our Judge and Vindicator is much quicker to come to our defense and to bring us his justice, blessing, and help when we need it. But we can easily lose heart and forget to ask our heavenly Father for his grace and help.


Faith-filled persistence reaps the fruit of justice and grace

Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) to give his disciples fresh hope and confidence in God's unfailing care and favor towards us (grace). In this present life we can expect trials and adversity, but we are not without hope in God. The Day of the Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices perpetrated by a fallen world of sinful people and that God's love is stronger than death (Song of Songs 8:6). Those who put their faith in God and entrust their lives to him can look forward with hope and confident assurance. They will receive their reward - if not fully in this present life then surely and completely in the age to come in God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).


Jesus ends his parable with a probing question for us. Will you and I have faith - the kind of faith that doesn't give up or lose hope in God - but perseveres to the end of our lives - and to the end of this present age when the Lord Jesus will return in glory as Ruler and Judge of All? Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. We could not believe, trust, and persevere with hope if God did not first draw us to himself and reveal to us his merciful love and care. If we want to grow and persevere in faith until the end of our days, then we must nourish our faith with the word of God and ask the Lord to increase it (Luke 17:5). When trials and setbacks disappoint you, where do you place your hope and confidence? Do you pray with expectant faith and confident hope in God's merciful care and provision for you?


Prayers


My all-wise Lord, Your will is perfect in all things, and You always bestow Your grace upon me when I pray without ceasing. Please give me a trusting Heart, dear Lord, so that I will never waver in my hope that You will always answer my prayers in accord with Your will. Jesus, I trust in You.


Lord, please free me from the self-centeredness that comes from pride.  May I seek the good of others with all humility and sincerity.  Free me from this sin, dear Lord, and help me to give myself away to You and to others, for in giving of myself I know I will find myself.  Jesus, I trust in You.


Lord Jesus, increase my faith and make it strong that I may never doubt your word and promise to be with me always. In every situation I face - whether trials, setbacks, or loss - may I always find strength in your unfailing love and find joy and contentment in having you alone as the treasure of my heart.



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