Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 32nd Week in Ordinary time – Saturday – Luke 18:1-8

The Gospel reading from the Mass for Saturday of the 32nd Week of Ordinary Time is Luke 18:1-8.

After warning the disciples of the coming apocalyptic trials before the Son of Man (Jesus) returns, Christ girds their hope to give them confidence with the Parable of the Widow and the Unrighteous Judge.  In it, Christ exhorts His men to relentlessly persist in prayer and to be assured that God will answer.

Christ uses classic logic in the arguments He builds into the Parable of the Widow and the Unrighteous Judge; an a fortiori (Latin meaning “from the stronger”) argument gets agreement for a proposition and then asserts a more compelling (stronger) proposition that is even more compelling.

A weak man (a poor widow) persistently files a lawsuit using an imperfect secular legal system (coming to the judge) ruled over by powerful but imperfect men (the Unrighteous Judge); given the relentless persistence of the man, even the imperfect judge in an imperfect system finally grants justice (vindication).  A stronger case can be made that men who cry out to God will be vindicated for He is the perfection of love, mercy, truth and justice and will undoubtably answer the prayers of those men who have faith in Him. Returning to the apocalyptic trauma and prophecies of His return, Christ promises God will “vindicate His elect” but then asks the searing question: “when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ offers an inside view of how God hears and responds to prayer. Astoundingly, on behalf of the Father, Christ promises for God that God will vindicate the “elect” who pray with persistence. Divine Teacher, Christ builds compelling parables using classic logic (a fortiori) that are understandable and memorable. Divine Judge, Christ explicitly compares Himself to a judge and confirms that He will mete out justice.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Men appreciate great arguments and soaring rhetoric.  Marvel at the truth that in Christ Jesus, men can witness the greatest thinker and orator (and greatest everything) of eternity, as He must be, for He is God.

2) Recalling His Beatitude, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt 5:60), Christ reaffirms His promise that “the elect” will be vindicated. Reflect upon The Elect (CCC 1025, 1031,1045, 1344, 1994) and pray for Christ to help you come to unswerving faith.

3) Men who fail to regularly pray suffer greatly when the inevitable crises of life come (illness, betrayal, loss, death, etc.) for they lack a personal relation to Christ. Reflect about the need to Persevere in Prayer (CCC 2098, 2573, 2613, 2742-2754) and pray with persistence and devotion to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assured of Christ’s promise that your prayers are heard and answered.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Joyful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Blessed Virgin Mary

Virtue of the Day – Hope

Corporal Work of Mercy – To bury the dead

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To pray for the living and the dead