SHE KEEPS PESTERING ME

PRAYER MOMENT

Saturday 16 November 2013

SHE KEEPS PESTERING ME

Pause.  Be still and enter into the quietness of your heart.

Reading. “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worrying me to death.” (Luke 18:1-8)

Reflection. A parable is a way of saying something important in a way that is not immediately obvious. If it is too obvious people will become familiar with the words and not penetrate their meaning. The words will be like passing traffic. So Jesus uses parables to slightly hide his meaning so that people are forced to ponder his words and so make the message their own. Like here for example, in the story of the persistent widow. She concentrates on her goal and does not give up. It is a simple lesson about life but Jesus here is especially meaning prayer. We are so familiar with this word but what is it for me? Is it words? Is it going to Church? It is all these things but above all it is a persistent effort to be attentive to the Spirit of God working in my heart.  

Prayer. Lord Jesus, teach us to pray as you taught your disciples through simple words and parables. Help us to go deeper than our words alone and give them relish through our listening to your Spirit. Amen.