29TH SUNDAY YEAR C 19TH OCTOBER 2025

We are confronted in the first reading of today with fact that God’s revelation to us is a gradual process. While it was fashionable in the Old Testament to pray to God to destroy our enemies, and even to slaughter them, the New depensation orders us to love our enemies and even pray for those who persecute us.

The core message of this passage is still relevant to us in our time. It reinforces the gospel message of perseverance in prayer. It also shows us the need for communal and supportive prayers. Our support to one another and prayers can go a long way to change our situations and the world. We need the hands of others to lift us up, mostly when prayer becomes boring and exhausting.

Paul in the second reading, warned us against the misuse of the scripture. The primary purpose of the scripture is to instruct us for salvation. The scripture is not for argument or for controversy. This message is most relevant in our time, different people try to interpret the scripture to their own advantage. This has not only led to multiplication of Churches but also brought about contradiction to the Gospel, of the need for unity. A better understanding and positive use of the Scripture can only lead to unity, peace and also brings us to salvation.

The need for persistence in prayer which is the central message of the 29th Sunday in the ordinary time, is brought out again in the parable of the unjust Judge and the Widow.

Jesus always prays, as Christians we should make prayer part of our lives. All our actions, thoughts and relationships should be prayer. Prayer is making God present in all we do.

This type of life of prayer is what some spiritual leaders called “Practical Union”.

Practical Union… “is an ongoing effort to be open to divine guidance in all activities, from the mundane to the extraordinary”. That is to say in all we do and say let it be according to mind of God. Making God present in all our actions.

We should not give up hope, should continue knocking till the doors are opened and continue asking till our prayers are answered. 

Fr. Jerome Otitoyomi DUKIYA. C.S.Sp.