+ In the first reading today from the Prophet Malachi, we see God lamenting the fact that his people give up so easily trying to go the way of the virtuous, and they envy the way of the evildoers. "See how they (the evil doers) prosper" – is their recourse. But God assures them that the day of the evildoers who seem to prosper shall be turned around they shall become like stubble
– on the day that is coming, they shall be set on fire, leaving them neither root or branch.
And then those who fear God's name, the sun of justice shall arise with its healing rays. So, none of us ought to lament the fact that it is in vain to serve God, while those who don't serve him seem to be prospering so much better. It all comes down to the definition of prosper: prosper spiritually, is of much more value and import, than prospering materially!
In the gospel passage, therefore, Jesus message of persistence in prayer can be applied to this very process of spiritual prosperity. What we pray for, and ask for and seek after, ought to have something to do with our spiritual prosperity – rather than our material comfort (not that we are to neglect praying for the basics in life to which we have a right). But if we ask for all things in the light of and context of our spiritual lives then we will be assured of a hearing, and of swift and kind action on the part of God – who is our loving Father, and knows our true needs before we even ask him!
May we pray for an increase of the Holy Spirit in our lives daily, so that we can know what to ask for, what to pray for and how to apply the answers when we get them!
Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.
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