Homily – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Scroll down for Children’s Liturgy Questions

Jesus calls us to pray always without becoming weary.

It is hard to imagine being Christian and not praying to some

extent. However keeping up a strong prayer life can be a little

challenging. We can at times lose heart when our prayers seem

to go unanswered not to mention life’s quick pace can often get

in the way of our prayer.

Do you pray regularly? Do you pray once, twice, three times a

day? What does our Lord mean – always? There are so many

hours in a day – does he really mean we are to pray all through

the day?

Yes – Jesus longs to hear from us. From our gospel message we

are called to persistent prayer in order that our prayers will be

answered. But it is so much more – God loves us and longs to

hear from us. Our prayer is more than stating our needs to God

it is about having a relationship with him.

Prayer is also more than then our constant speaking to God – it

is also about listening for his words. You might say constant

prayer becomes a state of mind. At times through the day it will

indeed be us vocalizing our thoughts to God – but there will also

be times when we are quite longing for an awareness of God.Jesus often refers to the children in his teachings and who

better to teach us how to pray then a child. A child puts

complete faith in their parents….that they will be cared for,

provided for and protected from any harm. And above all they

will be loved without condition.

It is that complete childlike faith that we should bring to prayer

with God. Like the child we can look forward to the moments

of silence in our prayer when we do nothing more than bask in

the love of God. We gain an awareness of his presence in our

lives – that we will be cared for, provided for and protected

from any harm. And above all his unconditional love for us.

However – realize that we are not always praying for what is

best in our life. Also realize that our prayers do not go

unanswered. It is with confidence that we can pray to our

Father and with confidence that we know those prayers will be

answered – however God may answer in a way we were not

expecting.

Prayer is such an important part of our lives. It helps us gain an

awareness of who we are – what we were meant to be. It helps

us through those moments of challenge and sorrow throughout

our lives. It helps us through the times of temptation to make

better and more Christ like choices. Prayer releases us from the

bonds of this earth to aspire to be that which God has called us

to be.Prayer will also lead us to an understanding that we do not walk

through this life alone. We are a people of God – a people of

faith. That is why mass is such a wonderful time when we bring

our prayers with us and join them together with our brothers

and sisters. Our prayers of praise and worship – our prayers

seeking forgiveness – our prayers of petition for all God’s family

– our prayers of thanksgiving.

Prayer is a powerful thing, through the grace of God, it can

change you – it can change the world – pray always.

Please don’t let life’s distractions keep you from setting aside

time for prayer. Do not lose heart if your prayers seem to go

unanswered – God has answered them seek his response. If

prayer is new to you – then begin by telling God you love him –

then seek his presence in your life.

Prayer is its own reward. It enriches us. It enables us to live not

only more spiritually, but more deeply, more fully, more

authentically.

When the Son of Man comes, he will find faith on earth!

Because we are a people of faith – a people of prayer – we are

the children of God!

CHILDREN’S LITURGY QUESTIONS

 Did Jesus tell his disciples they need to pray always? Yes

2. Did Jesus say it was ok for his disciples to become weary and tired of praying? No

3. Was Jesus’ parable / story about a Judge that neither feared God or respected any human

being? Yes

4. When the widow first started coming before the Judge was he willing to help her? No

5. Did the Judge finally decide to help the widow because she kept asking and bothering him?

Yes

6. Did Jesus ask us all to pay attention to what the dishonest Judge said? Yes

7. Did Jesus say we should call out to God only in the night? No

8. Did Jesus say we should call out to God day and night? Yes

9. Is God everything in your life? Yes

10. When the Son of Man comes will he find faith on earth because of your prayers day and

night? Yes