The Gospel this Sunday (Lk. 18, 1-8) speaks about praying always and without ceasing. The problem with some people is that they stop praying when their prayers are not answered or when their prayers are already answered. I have here a story of a nun, persistent in prayer for her co-worker, the Unbelieving Surgeon.
A nun had worked together with a surgeon in a hospital for many years. As they operated patients, the doctor would often look up at her quizzically and say, “Funny, Sister, but in all our operations we’ve never found a soul have we?” The nun always replied simply, “We’ll find yours, before you die, Doctor! You can’t get away. I’m praying for you every day.” To which he had a ready-made answer, “You’d better save your prayers for someone that’s a possibility. I’m not.”
The doctor left for a holiday, and after the lapse of a few days the word came back to the hospital that he had suddenly been taken violently ill and had died. The nun went to the chapel and made her great act of faith. “I’m sure, dear Lord, that you saved his soul. At the end of his life you gave him the faith.” And she added, “but could You let me know for certain?’ God did. After a few hours the word came. He had been taken to a hospital run by nuns; he himself had sent for the priest. He had been baptized, had received the last rites and had died. My brothers and sisters and friends in Christ, it was the persevering prayers of the nun that saved the soul of the unbelieving surgeon.
In the Gospel we just listened to, it was the persistent prayer of the widow that moved the God-less and fearless judge to solve the case of the widow against her adversary, if not the judge will go crazy. It is not very easy to pray without ceasing. In fact, it is not easy to pray at all. When you find yourself in such a situation, try these different kinds of prayer called ‘ACTS’, A – stands for ADORATION, C – for CONTRITION, T – for THANKSGIVING and S – for SUPPLICATION. Make use of this style of praying too, the word ‘ALTAR’ as you see it; ‘A’ – ADORE the Lord, ‘L’ – Listen to the Lord in his Word and the Homily of the celebrant, ‘T’ – Thank the Lord for your life, ‘A’ – Ask the Lord for anything that is beneficial for others and for you, and ‘R’ – Rejoice in the Lord always after all your problems are solved and petitions granted. And finally, pray to the Holy Spirit when praying does not come easy.
As we celebrate WORLD MISSION SUNDAY, next weekend, let us remember that we are all called to be “STAY HOME MISSIONARIES” by virtue of our own Baptism. Keep on praying for missionaries and support them with your financial capabilities. There are also special missionaries, who are hidden, often, unheard but they are always praying for us. They also need our prayerful and financial support. These are the contemplative and cloistered religious nuns, who pray 24/7 throughout the days, weeks and years for all of us. (The Pink Sisters, The Carmelite Sisters and Priests, ant the Trappist Monks.) On Mission Sunday let us pray for them as they do pray for us.
#149. A STORY OF A ‘PERSEVERING PRAYER’. In 1937 Antonio Tamburro of Naples, Italy became totally blind in a railroad accident. “Completely incurable” an oculist declared. The 50 year old Antonio, father of 8 children, determined to ask God for a miraculous cure. Every day for 5 years, he attended and assisted at Mass and received Holy Communion. One day, after receiving the EUCHARIST, he felt a great inner joy. As he rose to leave, his sight was restored. With tears streaming from his eyes, Antonio rushed back to the HIGH ALTAR and dropped to his knees in GRATITUDE. Who can measure the power of persevering prayer? Amen!
This week on Monday, we have the feast day of St, Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr. He was known to use “Catholic Church” for ‘Christians’. This day is also National Boss’s Day. On the 18th, we have the Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist and patron of the medical profession, painters, artists, sculptors and butchers. On the 19th, we have the memorial of Ss. John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companion Martyrs (USA). On the 22nd, we remember St. John Paul II, Pope (USA). This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin.
Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,
Fr. Reggie
