Twenty-nineth Sunday in Ordinary Time ‘C’

Today’s readings are all about the importance of prayer, about how we should keep praying, be  consistent in our prayers, and trust in God as we pray. These readings also remind us that God  is trustworthy and just, especially towards those who are poor, weak, or treated unfairly. 

In the First Reading, we hear how Moses kept praying to God while Joshua fought a battle.  Moses didn’t give up but stayed firm in prayer so that Israel could win. This shows us the power  of constant, steady prayer. In the Gospel, Jesus tells a story about a widow who kept asking a  judge over and over for justice. Like Moses, she never stopped asking. Jesus uses her as an  example; we should pray with faith and perseverance, never giving up hope. 

The Second Reading has St. Paul telling Timothy to keep working hard in his ministry and keep  spreading God’s word, no matter what happens. Paul teaches that, just like with prayer, we  shouldn’t give up, even in difficult times. 

Jesus tells us the story of the unjust judge and the persistent widow to make this very clear: we  should always pray and never give up. The widow kept asking for what was right, and she didn't  lose heart. Jesus wants us to pray with that same steady trust and not get discouraged, even  when answers don’t come quickly. 

Along with praying formally, like using prayers we have learned and repeating them together at  church, it’s important to add our own personal prayers. We can speak to God in our own words,  thanking Him, praising Him, and sharing what’s on our hearts. It’s also good to take a moment  during the day, wherever we are, to pause and turn our thoughts and actions to God. This way,  our whole life can become a prayer – a conversation with the Lord. 

We shouldn’t expect God to give us exactly what we ask for every time. 

Sometimes, God says no or answers differently, just as a loving parent might say no to a child  who doesn’t yet understand what’s best for them. God sees the whole picture of our lives, even  things we can’t see. That is why Jesus said we should keep praying and trust God with the  outcome, always remembering to say, “Thy will be done.” 

Through honest and persistent prayer, we learn to accept God’s will, trusting that He knows  what is truly best for us.