Be Hopeful at all Times

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Saturday of 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, November 13th, 2021
Texts: Wis. 18:14-16; 19:6-9; Ps. 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43; Luke 18:1-8
  God saves His people; he never abandons His own. Today's first reading reminds us of how God punished the enemy to set His people free. For the sake of His people, God sent His word to fill all things with death for His people's enemies and set them free. The reading also reminds us of how God changed the law of nature for our sake. The wise says, "For the whole creation in its nature was fashioned anew, complying with your commands, that your children might be kept unharmed." For th sake of His people the creation received life. For the people of God the creation is renewed but for their enemies the creation becomes dead. This means we are a cause of life while our enemies are a cause of death.
God shows His love for His people by punishing their enemies and by changing the law of nature for their sake. For us, the people of God, we are not limited by the law of nature. God has proved this several times: He proved it by giving Sarah the promised child, Isaac, when she had passed the age of menopause; He proved it by parting the red Sea and river Jordan for His people to pass; He proved it by using the weak to shame the strong, what the people considered fool to shame those who claim to be wise etc. God proved to us that is above nature by incarnation and resurrection. This means that we should never lose hope any time in our lives, we should continue hoping and trusting in God till death.
In today's gospel reading, Jesus continues with the message in the first reading by asking us to pray without losing hope. He asked us to persist in prayer. We should continue to pray even if according to the law of nature it is no longer possible. Our God could change the law of nature for our sake as He had done in the past. We should continue to pray even if there is nothing to encourage us; our faith in God is enough encouragement. In today's gospel reading, the judge did not fear God nor having regard for any man but persistence of the widow won her justice from the judge. Jesus reminds us that if persistence could win the widow justice from such a man, it will do more with God who is goodness, Himself, and loves His people. We are called, today, to continue hoping in God in and out of season; we should be patient with Him; we should continue praying to Him for our desires, no matter what.

Lord our God, we thank You for who You have been to us, Your people; may Your grace fill our hearts and always makes us steadfast in hope. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke