Pastor's Note from Fr. Szparagowski 📝

Dear St. Philip Neri Friends and Family,

We give praise and thanks to God for the graces and blessings He has given us! The Gospel this Sunday presents the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge. Jesus tells us that the widow kept returning again and again, pleading for justice until the judge finally gave in. The judge did not act out of compassion, but simply because he grew tired of her persistence. Jesus contrasts the reluctance of the unjust judge with the goodness of our Heavenly Father. If persistence can move the heart of a corrupt man, how much more will it move the heart of God, who is just and loving. The lesson of this parable is clear; prayer requires persistence. Jesus tells us to pray without becoming weary. Too often, we do not see results right away, we grow discouraged. We think God in not listening. Yet this Gospel assures us that God always hears, and the persistent prayer is never wasted. God answers in His time and in His way, but our prayer is always received, always valued, always powerful.

In the first reading from Exodus, we see the persistence of prayer in another form. As Israel battles with the Amalekites, Moses stands with arms raised in prayer. As long as his hands remain lifted up, Israel prevails. When he grows tired, Aaron and Hur hold up his arms, ensuring that the prayer continues until victory is won. This image is both beautiful and practical. It shows that prayer is not only personal, but also communal. We support one another in prayer, lifting each other up when we are weary, just as Moses was supported by his companions.

St. Paul, in the second reading, tells Timothy to remain faithful, to be persistent in teaching the Word, whether convenient or inconvenient. Again, we see the same message; do not give up, do not grow tired, remain constant. All three readings speak to us about perseverance. In a world that values quick results, God calls us to be patient and faithful. Prayer is not a vending machine where we put in out request and get what we want instantly. It is a relationship of trust with God. Sometimes God's answer to our prayers may not be as quick as we would like, God may be preparing us, shaping us, teaching us to rely on Him more deeply.

Think of how persistence strengthens our human relationships. A marriage grows strong through acts of love, not just occasional grand gestures. Friendships endure when we stay in touch, even when life is busy. Likewise, our relationship with God deepens when we turn to Him every day, persistently, faithfully, with trust that He is listening.

As we reflect on this Gospel, we might ask ourselves; Do I persevere in prayer, or do I give up too easily? Do I pray only when I need something, or do I remain constant, even when God seems silent? Do I support others in prayer, lifting up the arms of those who are weary, as Aaron and Hur did with Moses? This Sunday reminds us that prayer is powerful, but it is also a discipline. It requires persistence, patience, and trust. Jesus ends the parable with a haunting question: "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" The measure of our faith is not how we pray when things are easy, but how we remain faithful in prayer when things are difficult, when answers we ask for are slow in coming, and when we are tempted to give up.

Brothers and sisters, let us take courage from today's readings. Let us be like the persistent widow, never giving up in our prayer. Let us be like Moses, lifting up our hands to God, supported by one another. And let us be like St. Paul, steadfast in faith, ready to endure and to persevere. May we grow in persistence, may our prayer be constant, and may the Lord, when He comes, find in us hearts that are faithful, trusting, and unceasing in prayer.

Please invite someone to Mass today.

St. Philip Neri, pray for us!

Have a blessed day,

Fr. Szparagowski