Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

 

In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples a parable about the necessity of praying without losing heart, like the widow who insistently petitioned, until she eventually obtained it. God when called Moses told him, “I have heard the cries and laments of my people”; for the Lord is listening.

 

In the first Reading from the Book of Wisdom the omnipotent God is portrayed as a mighty warrior leaping from heaven. When the Lord takes to the defense of his people, he is a mighty warrior who saves his people. He saves, he renews all things: the whole of creation was fashioned anew, according to its own nature as it had been before. The Lord’s power is mighty when he wills to save his people. He is the Lord. He heard the prayer of his people; He knew in his heart that his people were suffering.

 

The Readings provide us with an opportunity to meditate on God’s mighty power. The Church draws her children’s attention to this mystery, especially during the liturgical season of Christmas, since the climax of God’s power, of God’s salvation, happened with the Incarnation of the Word. 

 

God has the power to change everything — all creation was fashioned anew — he is able to fashion everything anew. However, he also has a weakness, our prayer, our universal prayer.