DAILY READINGS & REFLECTION

NOVEMBER 18, 2023

SATURDAY OF THE THIRTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

FIRST READING

WISDOM 18:14-16; 19:6-9

18 14 For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, 15 thy all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior 16 carrying the sharp sword of thy authentic command, and stood and filled all things with death, and touched heaven while standing on the earth. 19 6 For the whole creation in its nature was fashioned anew, complying with thy commands, that thy children might be kept unharmed. 7 The cloud was seen overshadowing the camp, and dry land emerging where water had stood before, an unhindered way out of the Red Sea, and a grassy plain out of the raging waves, 8 where those protected by thy hand passed through as one nation, after gazing on marvelous wonders. 9 For they ranged like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who didst deliver them.

The Word of the Lord
_

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALMS 104(105):2-3, 36-37, 42-43

Response: Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
Or
R. Alleluia.

Sing to him, sing praises to him,
tell of all his wonderful works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
Or
R. Alleluia.

He smote all the first-born in their land,
the first issue of all their strength.
Then he led forth Israel with silver and gold,
and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.

R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
Or
R. Alleluia.

For he remembered his holy promise,
and Abraham his servant.
So he led forth his people with joy,
his chosen ones with singing.

R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
Or
R. Alleluia.
_

GOSPEL

Always pray and do not lose heart

LUKE 18:1-8

1 And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, `Vindicate me against my adversary.' 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, `Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

The Gospel of the Lord
_

REFLECTION

DAILY QUOTE FROM THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS

Persistent prayer transforms iniquity and wickedness into mercy, by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)

"How was that unjust judge immoral and wicked? How was the upright judge gracious and just? The first in his iniquity was not willing to vindicate the widow, and in his wickedness, he was not willing to put her mind at rest. The justice of God knows how to vindicate, and his grace discerns how to give life. The iniquity of this wicked judge was contrary to the justice of God, and the wickedness of this rebel was in opposition to the grace of the gentle One. His wickedness therefore was stubbornness, for it dared to go against the fear of God. His boldness was stubborn, for it refused the lowly person."
"These two were stubborn, but persistent prayer was even more stubborn. The persistence of the widow humiliated both the iniquity that was rebelling against God and the boldness that was behaving arrogantly towards human beings. She subjected them to her will, so that they might provide her with a vindication over her adversary. Persistence transformed these two bitter branches, and they bore sweet fruit that was against their nature. The iniquity of the judge brought about a righteous judgment and a just retribution for the falsely accused woman. His wickedness gave peace to the afflicted one, although iniquity does not know how to judge, and wickedness does not know how to give refreshment. Persistence forced these two evil and bitter branches to give good fruit against their nature. If we persist in prayer, we should be even more able to prevail on the grace and justice of God to give us fruit that agrees with their nature. Let justice vindicate us, and let grace refresh us. Accordingly, the fruit of justice is the just reward of the oppressed, while the giving of refreshment to the afflicted is the fruit of grace."

(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIANS DIATESSARON 16.16.6)
_

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.