World Mission Sunday

First reading: Ex. 17:8–13

In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, “Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses’ hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Second reading: 2 Tim. 3:14–4:2

Beloved: Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

Gospel: 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?”

In other words 

Fr. Patricio de los Reyes, SVD (Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City)

When St. Teresa of Calcutta was asked to gauge the success of her ministry to the poorest of the poor, she replied that success is not important in her ministry. Her ministry, she believed, is all about faithfulness. St. Teresa of Calcutta remained faithful to what she had learned and believed. This is what all the readings are urging us all: to be faithful.

Prayer, the most important aspect of a believer’s life, should become a constant endeavor in order to remain faithful.

A classmate of mine in first-year college submitted a term paper that researched on the reasons why priests leave the priesthood. The first reason was lack of or no prayer life anymore. It means no more connection with God, no more link with Jesus, who is the lead and guide in the priesthood. No Jesus Christ the Light means being in darkness. That is why he taught his disciples to pray to remain faithful; to pray without ceasing, and not get tired, to pray in order not to sever the connection with God, with Jesus. These days, people become more worried when the internet connection is lost but are less worried when their connection with God is lost. The Sacrament of Reconciliation has become unpopular.

I believe that God does not delay answering our prayers. Perhaps, we have become unfaithful and, as a result, have become unmindful that when I become weary in prayer, there is help. I need only to be patient in prayer to remain faithful despite all the obstacles and challenges like St. Teresa of Calcutta.