(ONLY VIDEO) During the general audience, the Pope explained the parable of the widow who gets help by an unjust judge due to her persistence.
The Pope said to do the same with God; be persistent and persevere in prayer, because he is 'always listening.â? At the same time, he recalled that prayer is not a 'magic wandâ? to solve problems, but a way of approaching God. He will fulfill the wishes of His children in the way that best suits them.
SUMMARY OF THE CATECHISM OF THE POPE
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now turn to the parable of the unjust judge and the widow (Lk 18:1-8). In telling us that even an unscrupulous judge will finally render justice to a poor woman because of her persistence, Jesus encourages us to persevere in prayer to our heavenly Father, who is infinitely just and loving. He also assures us that God will not only hear our prayers, but will not delay in answering them (vv. 7-8).
The Gospels tell us that Jesus himself prayed constantly. His own intense prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is a model for our own: it teaches us to present our petitions with complete trust in Fatherâ??s gracious will. The parable of the unjust judge and the widow ends with a pointed question: 'When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earthâ?? (v. 8). Perseverance in prayer keeps our faith alive and strong. For in that prayer, we experience the compassion of God who, like a Father filled with love and mercy, is ever ready to come to the aid of his children.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in todayâ??s Audience, particularly those from England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Switzerland, China, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, the Philippines, Seychelles, Canada and the United States of America. With prayerful good wishes that the present Jubilee of Mercy will be a moment of grace and spiritual renewal for you and your families, I invoke upon all of you joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
JRB/MB
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