Our gospel’s key theme is about the power of persistence in prayer and the timing of God’s   response; it is also about the motivating factor behind God’s Love versus the reason why today’s judge   finally gives in to the persistence of the widow.

There are three key themes of this gospel: (1) the power of persistent prayer, (2) God’s justice and timing, and (3) Faith in God’s Faithfulness. The gospel invites us in our daily lives to bring our needs, and those of others, and the world to God with perseverance. Prayer is meant for more than me, myself, and I. This parable encourages hope and confidence in God’s attentive love (the search for our excellence) and reminds us to remain faithful in prayer, trusting that God’s justice shall prevail.

So like the widow don’t give up on prayer, trust that God hears you. Prayer is not about a one-shot deal and then move on to the next item on our list. It is a continual dialogue that is meant to shape our hearts—transform and conform—us to God. Unlike the judge, God is loving and just and while His   answers may seem delayed, and not what we directly asked for, His timing is perfect and He knows what exactly we need—and even what we need to go through in order to accept His answer. The question Jesus ends with in the gospel, “But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” should challenge us to cultivate a persistent and living faith that Trusts in God’s promises (real Hope), especially when our circumstances seem impossibly difficult.

Archbishop Coyne’s Episcopal motto is “Trust in the Lord,” and this weekend the deep meaning of that phrase is to Trust in His Promise of salvation, even when times are difficult, and to believe that His Love seeks the excellence of who He created us to be. It begins, ends and is prayer…