29th Sunday of the year 22

29TH SUNDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2022: EXODUS 17. 8-13; 2 TIMOTHY 3.14 – 4.2; LUKE 8. 1-8 Thrust: The core of prayer! Indicative: The power of prayer is not in the guarantee or the speed or quantity of favours or the quantity of them. But it is in the perseverance 1. Many times, many measure the quality, efficacy, and greatness of prayer in terms of favours received. Questions of number, quantity, and speed concerning the favours requested become very decisive. Accordingly, one is rated to be a devout person if he receives many favours, or much grace or so quickly or immediately. 2. This is very much in line with the mind and culture of the present society. It is a culture where number, quantity, and speed are the measuring rods for greatness. How many, how much, and how fast – these are the deciding criteria. This is in fact, a worldly, profane, and materialistic mindset. It is a calculative and quantitative mentality. 3. The same mentality affects the spiritual realm as well. Consequently, oftentimes, interiority and depth take a back seat while the externals take the upper hand. Thus, there is the danger of losing patience and perseverance, and falling into shallowness and superficiality. 4. The serious problem with this kind of “instant” and favour-interested” mentality is, faith becomes unsteady and fluctuating. How? When one prays and gets what he wants, it is okay. But what about not receiving what is prayed for? What about not getting how, how much and when we want it? 5. Therefore, what is required for the right spirit of prayer is “perseverance”. All three readings of the day focus on this. In the first reading, we hear that “his (Moses’) hands were steady until the going down of the sun”. It was the context of the fight between Israel with Amalek. And “Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.” 6. In the second reading, we are exhorted to “Continue in what we have learned and firmly believed.” Here, the purpose of all scripture and the efficacy of all prayer are so explicit. It is a fourfold purpose: “for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Further, we are urged to “be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” 7. In the gospel too, Jesus is crystal clear that our prayer must be persevering and not easily giving up. “We ought always to pray and not to lose heart.” He drives home this message through a simple example of a widow. She was approaching an unrighteous judge for justice. For a while he refused. But he had to relent and do justice because of her continual, persistent coming. Imperative: The power and effect of prayer is not to be measured in terms of favours. It consists of perseverance in accomplishing the purpose of divine knowledge, reproof. correction and steady growth in righteousness (SHORT REFLECTION FROM 2020, 16 NOVEMBER) Focus: True faith is not a quick relief or instant painkiller or a speed gain The problem of many concerning prayer is their perspective toward it. They consider it as a readymade tool and solution for their problems. They want things to happen as soon as they ask for them and as they want them. Unconsciously their needs and interests become the centre of their prayer and the whole act revolves around those needs. Accordingly, the quality and efficacy of prayer as well as the consolation and joy of praying are measured in terms of getting what is prayed for. When these desires and intentions are not fulfilled by God, easily many become annoyed and impatient. They give up. But a genuine prayer must be persevering, like that of the widow in the gospel. Refusal and rejection by the judge do not deter her from pleading with him. Only perseverance bears lasting fruit. Direction: There are no deadlines or failures in true prayer because it is a matter of relationship and transaction