Persistence (11/18/2023)

Yesterday was baking day. You see, the Cookie Walk is coming up in our parish, and I am the chair. The first year I headed up the event, I asked if I could speak at all the masses to encourage everyone to bake and donate cookies and candy. And as a “pay it forward,” I gave everyone a homemade cookie on their way out of church. It worked. And so, every year, I do the same thing. Today and tomorrow, I give out the cookies after Mass. So, yesterday, I baked over 30 dozen cookies. And I must admit, halfway through, I questioned my own sanity and considered scrubbing the practice. I guess you could say my persistence and perseverance were wearing thin.

Then I thought of the children present at mass who light up when they find out they get a cookie. I thought of the older gentleman who sits towards the back, who doesn’t bake but loves cookies. And I took a short break, asked the LORD for persistence and perseverance, and then dug in again. And to quote the familiar expression, “got her done.”

Today’s gospel reading from Luke recounts Jesus’ sharing of the parable about the unjust judge and the persistent widow. The judge didn’t care about the widow or even about justice, the widow’s persistence prevailed. And the judge finally granted her that which she sought. Jesus reminds us that our almighty Father, unlike the judge, is loving and just and assures us that our prayers are heard and answered. But the need for persistence in prayer and perseverance in faith isn’t eliminated because of our almighty Father’s goodness, they are actually increased.

Jesus asks a haunting question, especially for us today. “When the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on earth?” As I look about me, I see the breakdown in faith in so many areas of our world, our communities, our lives. And I wonder about the answer to that question today. I see a huge decline over the past 50 years in church attendance. I see a world that increasingly denies the existence of the LORD and that sets up unnecessary obstacles for those of us who do believe. I see nations at war, sons and daughters of the one LORD fighting one another over power and territory fueled by hatred and disregard of life.

And I wonder, will we who still believe have the fortitude of faith and the resiliency of hope that will allow us not only to not give up but to grow the faith because of our loving care for one another and our transformative love for the LORD. Will we daily pray for peace? Will we daily pray for our sisters and brothers across the globe that they might end the wars and begin caring for one another again? Will we daily pray for the conversion of the world, for an increase in faith here at home but also abroad? Will we act out our faith daily, regardless of the situation, loving the other and seeking unity? Will we go the extra mile for another? Will we persist in our prayers and persevere in our living Christ lovingly and boldly?

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.

Note: water color by Kirsten Joy Wiskus titled "With hope"