To Pray Always
October 16, 2022: A Reflection for the 29th Sunday in OT, Year C
Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. (Lk 18:1)
Jesus, how is it that you seek out the company of us, your little creatures! It seems your heart is drawn to us and wants nothing more than to have a relationship with us. Today’s gospel is another example of your desire to be part of our lives. You ask us to pray always without becoming weary. That seems like a tall order! Surely you can’t mean that we aim well-crafted petitions your way at every moment and not be engaged in the day-to-day life you have created us to live. How can we bypass our call to be creatures, enfleshed spirit? It’s not what you’re asking, is it?
Perhaps a clue could be in the word you use to tell us how to pray: always. If you take it apart it is “all ways”. Could you mean that we are to pray in all ways?
In all the ways of our daily lives, you want us to relate to you. You want us to relate to you over our morning cup of coffee or tea by enjoying it. Preparing a meal, making our bed or any of the nitty-gritty things that form our responsibilities. By all the ways in which we try to be kind and loving persons because we know you are present in everyone we meet and serve. In the moments when we delight in your creation and care for it. When we help another person carry the burden of their hearts or lives by our support, love and service of their needs. We are loving you in all ways. When we love you in all those parts of ourselves that we don’t find very lovable or acceptable but let you breathe your mercy over them. And of course, to pray in the quiet of our hearts. So many ways to pray always.
“You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” says St. Augustine. Praying all ways means our heart can find rest every moment of each day in a relationship with the living God who longs to be a part of our lives. “Behold, I am with you all ways.”