SATURDAY OF WEEK 32 IN ORDINARY TIME - 2024

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Through the Good News God called us
to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2TH 2:14

3 JOHN 5-8

My Soul's Beloved,

St. John, the Apostle, and evangelist, reminds us of this truth - it is not so much a duty as a grace to contribute in any way we can to the work of consecrated men and women, priests and religious, whom You have called out of the world to serve Your people, minister to them spiritually and materially. They are a sign of a living Presence in the world. Like You, their Master and Lord, they lay down their lives for Your sheep. We may not know them personally but it is enough for us to know that You have called them to be light, salt, and leaven in the world. If we can do anything, no matter how small to encourage them or assist them in any way we can, You will consider it as having been done for You.   

Nothing is more displeasing to You than for us to indulge in gossip about them, criticize them, discuss their weaknesses, belittle their work, despise them, and make their work more difficult than it already is. They have given up everything for the sake of the Kingdom of God and we are duty-bound to show them affection, encourage them, and assist them in any way we can to carry out their mission.

My friend, you have done faithful work in looking after these brothers, even though they were complete strangers to you. They are a proof to the whole Church of your charity and it would be a very good thing if you could help them on their journey in a way that God would approve. It was entirely for the sake of the name that they set out, without depending on the pagans for anything; it is our duty to welcome men of this sort and contribute our share to their work for the truth.

PSALM 111(112):1-6

Happy the man who takes delight in the commands of the Lord.

Happy the man who fears the Lord,
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed.

Riches and wealth are in his house;

his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:
he is generous, merciful and just.

The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.

Happy the man who takes delight in the commands of the Lord.

LUKE 18:1-8

My Soul's Beloved,

Persistence in prayer is a virtue. It teaches us humility. It teaches us to hope, and faith that in the end, God will answer. When You taught Your disciples to pray You told them to address God as Father, Abba, Dad, You also said that no father will hand his child a stone when he asks for an egg, or an eel when he asks for fish. We are sinners yet we give our children all that is good and needful. You conclude by saying, 'How much more will Your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask.' 

It is easy to get weary when we keep asking day after day, week after week, month after month, perhaps even years and we receive no answer. But even as we wait, praying with confidence, God is working in us, purifying us, strengthening us, and increasing our faith. When the time is right You will give us all we ask for. 

Lord Jesus, when my faith dims, when I am anxious because my prayers are unanswered, You are silent and I am tempted to believe that You are deaf to my supplications, grant me the grace to persist in prayer in the silence and the darkness and You at a time of Your choosing, and in the manner that You choose, You will give me all that I have prayed for and more. 

‘Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’