Read 3 John 5-8, Ps. 112:1-6, Luke 18:1-8
“Will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you; he will vindicate them speedily.” (Luke 18:7-8)
I once read a story about the invention of the Electric Bulb. It goes thus: “When Thomas Edison was seeking to invent the electric light bulb, he didn't get it right the first time. But then, he didn’t immediately say, “I'm a big fat failure!” He didn’t throw his arms up in the air saying, “This is just too hard. I give up!”? He didn’t grab a bottle of booze and become an alcoholic.“
When it didn't work the first time, Edison made a note of exactly what he had done and what components he had used. Then he made an adjustment to the experiment and tried again. And when that “failed” he made a note of that, readjusted, and tried again. He kept learning from every experiment. He learned all the ways that it wouldn't work. And each time he found a way that wouldn't work; he knew he was closer to finding a way that would work.
It took him so many experiments to invent the perfect setup for the electric bulb. There was a lot of learning to go through. Nobody had done it before. He couldn't read a book about it. He had to plug away, failing and learning, until he and his mockers worked out the right way to do it.” (www.wilywalnut.com)
Faith is what will keep you going despite the failures you encounter along the way. Edison believed in his vision and even when he failed over and over again, he just wouldn’t stop. This is the kind of faith we need to have in God – a faith that continues to believe regardless of whatever failures or disappointments we encounter.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus gives us the parable of the woman and the unjust judge to teach us that there is a need for persistence in prayer. A lot of Christians today tend to dismiss prayer but the truth is that prayer actually works. Prayer does change things. Have Faith in God and continue to pray even when it seems as if nothing is happening.
We live in an era where Christians tend to place their faith in certain persons rather than in God. A lot of us assume that if we pray directly to God, our prayer would be delayed but if we “sow seeds” somewhere or visit some acclaimed prophet, or patronize a certain altar, then our prayers would be speedily answered. Some move from one church (or ministry) to another in search of quicker answers.
The problem is not that God is slow; it is the case that you do not even believe in God, rather you believe in human beings. Tell yourself that you are not less of a child of God than the man of God, you have a right to receive attention from God. Do not let anyone put fear in you or make you think that your sins are obstacles to your prayers. There is any human being above sin. (Cf. 1 John 1:8).
Finally, as John advises in today’s first reading, let us be kind to strangers. You never can tell if that person in need of your help is an angel. (Read Hebrews 13:2)
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, in the face of the difficulties and challenges coming my way, may I never give up on you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Josaphat, Bishop, Martyr. Bible Study: 3 John 5-8, Ps. 112:1-6, Luke 18:1-8)
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu