Blog

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 19, 2025

Jesus has told us that if we “knock’’ it will be opened to us, if we “ask” we will receive, if we “seek” we will find. We usually take that literally and expect all of our prayers to be answered exactly the way we desire and in the amount of time we demand. We should have learned by now, that is not how it works. We also hear in the Holy Scriptures that “man’s ways are not God’s ways,” and therefore since He is the one to whom we direct our prayers, He is going to answer them His way.
The story we hear in the Gospel this weekend is about prayer, but even more so about the necessity to “persevere” in our prayer. Let’s face it, almost all the things that you and I hold dear depend on “stamina,” (perseverance). People who aspire to acquiring character cannot have it in an hour, or a day, or even a year. Character is built little by little, decision by decision, deed by deed, over many years, even a lifetime.
Deep friendships cannot be invented over one weekend. People build loyal and rich friendships through shared experiences of joy and sorrow, success and disappointment. Loyal and lasting friendships endure having gone through good times and bad.
Skill is acquired over time, not in a few days. We have to begin, observe, learn, practice, apprentice, and finally arrive through thick and thin, to a degree of specialized skill that is often referred to as “master” level. This can be for artists, tradesmen, athletes, doctors, educators, etc.
Just as “perseverance” is a huge part of our lives that we take for granted or are not even conscious of, so also it has to be a huge part of our journey of faith. The woman in today’s parable presented by Jesus, is an example of “perseverance’’ at knocking, asking, and seeking. As a result, justice was delivered to her. Jesus’ point is NOT that God is a mean old judge who finally gives in. Rather, in contrast to the judge, our God is a generous and loving Father who listens and gives us what we need, what is best for us, more than we know ourselves. He wants us to stay in constant communication with Him because it helps us! Not Him. Even when we get tired in our prayer life, or disappointed and discouraged, it helps us to persevere in our communication with God. It helps to build our spiritual character; it helps to maintain our friendship with God. -Msgr. Greg