Exodus 17.8-13 | 2 Timothy 17.8-13 | Luke 18.1-8

We begin the twenty-ninth week of Ordinary Time with Mother Church, in this month of mission and the Rosary.

We are invited to financially support the Church's missionary initiatives. There are missions taking place in remote regions, with few human and financial resources, with transportation difficulties, in challenging climates, without temples and rooms for Catechesis and pastoral meetings, without Bibles, blackboards, and notebooks.

In October, there is a donation campaign for the missions. Let us be generous and decisively support evangelization throughout the world.

Today, the evangelist Luke tells us about the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow. Jesus told His disciples this parable to show them the need to pray always and never give up. 

The judge refused to grant justice to the widow, but due to her insistence and his fear of being attacked, he granted her request.

Then the Lord Jesus said that God would quickly bring justice to His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night. Finally, Jesus questioned whether there would still be faith on earth when the Son of Man came.

If even the unjust can do justice when pressed, how much more will God do so! He is the just Judge who hears the cry of His chosen ones. Therefore, we need to pray always and never give up. Every day, let us confidently present to God our requests for justice, and also those of the whole world. Reciting the Rosary is a great option. Let us pray with conviction, as those who know what they want and fight for it, doing our part to bring justice to pass.

Let us persevere in prayer, not so that God will do our will, but so that we may understand and accept His will (cf. Luke 22:42). God's justice is restorative, not punitive. He does not desire the death of the wicked, but that they be converted and live (cf. Ezekiel 33:11). He can bring good out of evil, as when He permitted Jesus' crucifixion so that the world might be reconciled with Him.

Finally, as citizens, let us strive to ensure that civil society is just and defends the legitimate interests of the poorest, so that they are not devoured by the greedy. Let us denounce the buying of sentences by the rich and powerful. The Kingdom of God is justice and peace (cf. Romans 14:17)!

Today the author of the Book of Exodus tells us about the victory of the men of Israel, led by Joshua, over the men of Amalek, for the conquest of the promised land. 

According to the biblical narrative, victory was achieved by the uplifted hands of Moses, who stood atop the hill with the staff of God in his hand, supported by Aaron and Ur.

Observing this scenario, we think of prayer. To conquer what the Lord promises us, we must fight the good fight (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7) with the armor of God (cf. Ephesians 6:10-17). Victory goes beyond merely human strategies, although they are certainly necessary. It is personal and communal prayer that helps us better understand the scenario, making the best decision at the right time, and finding the definitive solution.

Let us support one another in daily prayer. We all have daily battles to win. The Lord fights on our behalf. Once again, reciting the Rosary is a great option.

Today, the Apostle Paul speaks to us in his second letter to Timothy about the importance of the Holy Scriptures for the man of God. The apostle assured that all Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching and training in righteousness. Paul urged Timothy—his chosen bishop of Ephesus—to proclaim the Word in season and out of season, with all patience and teaching, remaining firm in what he had learned from Paul and accepted as truth.

The Church exists to evangelize. To fulfill its mission, Church leaders must have a profound knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures so they can proclaim Them. This knowledge follows the purest apostolic Tradition. Individuals and peoples have the right to hear the Sacred Scriptures, which console the sorrowful and open their hearts to divine promises, for the present and for eternity.

The Sacred Scriptures are fundamental to prayer. Through them, God speaks to His people today.

In this missionary month, let us proclaim the Sacred Scriptures to those near and far. In this month of the Rosary, let us unite in this prayer, which is deeply rooted in the New Testament.