Persistence
The story is told about a lawyer who encountered a crowd in an intersection. Wanting to get to<img src=”null”> the accident scene, he persistently made his way through the crowd, shouting: “Let me through! I am a relative of the victim!” Upon hearing this, the crowd made way for him, and lo and behold, lying in front of everyone was a dead pig that was hit by a car.
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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 18, 1-8), Jesus teaches us about another kind of persistence — persistence in prayer. Jesus tells us today pray, pray more, and pray on. P-U-S-H. Pray Until Something Happens!
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“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17) This is a reminder for us to be in constant communication and conversation with God. It means we put God above everything and everyone.
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One reason why many of us do not pray is that we have no time. We have time! We just don’t make time or take time because we have personal agenda that we cannot let go of. What if God left you and me out of His agenda?
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Think about this: “Your most important appointment today is your appointment with God.” And what if your appointment to meet God face-to-face happened today? Will you be filled with shame and regret that you loved Him too little, too late?
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Before I had cancer, I thought I was prayerful already. Cancer has taught me to seek God’s presence in silence and in listening. Many of us pray a lot, but never really experience peace and change in our habits and attitudes. Why? It’s because we really do not listen enough to God when we pray. When you pray, listen to God, don’t give instructions to Him!
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Humility is the key to sincere and unceasing prayer. Sincere prayer stems from a faith in Someone greater than ourselves, and unceasing prayer stems from a firm trust in that Someone who loves us and who listens to us. A bended knee and clasped hands coming from a humble heart is a sight that is pleasing to God.
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There he was, this 50-ish man praying by his lonesome at the grotto of the Virgin of the Poor here in Christ the King Seminary. While we were talking, I just realized that he was a modern-day Job—he lost his job, was disowned by his wife and children, and had no clear future ahead of him. But he said, through it all, he never stopped praying the rosary, and going to Mass. I don’t know what will happen to him. All I know is that those who put their trust in the Lord and persevere till the end will be blessed. “Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3,5)
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Kneel down. Start the day with a prayer on your knees. The act of kneeling down is a beautiful gesture of humility that says it all. All throughout the day, find some moments to keep in touch with the Lord. End your day with bended knees. That’s how we can be consistent and persistent in prayer.
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“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” (Fred Rogers)
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A moment with our Lord: Lord, help us to pray with perseverance and persistence. Amen.
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