Daily Gospel
READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the third Letter of John
3 JN 5-8
Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters,
especially for strangers;
they have testified to your love before the Church.
Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey.
For they have set out for the sake of the Name
and are accepting nothing from the pagans.
Therefore, we ought to support such persons,
so that we may be co-workers in the truth.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Luke
LK 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?”
Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
(Lk 18:1-8)
The Word of God for Us
Dear people of God,
The Word of God today instructs the disciples of the past as well as everyone in the world today: Be vigilant and persistent in praying to God. While praying, Satan tempts the patience of people and their ability to be intimately united with God. Satan will creep into people’s minds, inciting them to do their own will, and not listen to God’s instructions on living in a way that pleases Him.
God invites everyone to stay vigilant and to persevere in prayer. God knows every thought, word, action, and deed of every human being; so, before prayers are offered, God knows what each person wants to ask of God. God always wants the best for everyone.
God is the Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. He understands everything about people in the material world of the present and of the future. God invites people to persevere in prayer to Him. Do not be discouraged or disappointed if your prayers are not answered because what God gives people is always good. The Word of God today teaches everyone: Persevere in prayer; be vigilant in your thoughts, words, actions, and deeds. Stay alert and have absolute trust in God, because only when people have strong faith in the love of God will people avoid the trap of Satan.
In today’s Word, God presents the image of an unjust judge and a widow. Although dishonest, the judge knew how to accept the widow’s pleas and bring justice to her. The unjust judge succumbed to the widow’s perseverance and patience as she pestered him daily for the justice due her. How much more is this an example of God’s love! He is the One who gives good things to people.
The Word of God today invites everyone: be alert at all times, be alert to the temptations of Satan, be alert to your prayers, and offer your petitions to God with absolute faith and trust that He is the One who knows what is best for you. He will accept prayers and grant all blessings to those who obey and live according to God’s command. He does not want them to be discouraged when people pray without receiving instructions directly from God. He invites everyone to have faith in the love of God, to trust that God will give all blessings according to the needs of people in life, and to trust that God loves everyone. He will always give blessings to those who persist in calling on the Holy name of God.
Thanks Be to God. Amen.
