The theme for the readings today is persistence. Persistence is needed in many situations where we wish to accomplish something important. For example, when we persist in studying a new language, unless we study each day for at least ten minutes, we will never learn it. I always wanted to learn Spanish ever since I was in the seminary years ago. However, I did not persist in studying each day, so it felt like I had to start repeatedly to get back on track. Finally, after many years of study, I have a pretty good grasp of the language. Looking back, I wish I had studied more faithfully over the years because I could have learned sooner. Today’s scriptures apply this principle of persistence to our prayer life. In the first reading, the only way that the Israelites could defeat the more powerful enemy was if Moses persisted in keeping his hands raised in prayer during battle. When he got tired, he let his hands rest and the enemy started to win. However, Moses’ friends Aaron and Hur helped support his uplifted hands by placing a rock for him to sit on. Then the battle changed, as Moses’ persistence helped them win. The rock stands for persistence prayer. Isn’t it true that when we persist in prayer good things can come about? Of course, we can get tired, but often we delay or even skip prayer out of discouragement, and we too need help to keep going. The secret is our faith. If we believe that God is listening to our prayers, then we can keep going. If we also believe that God will answer our prayers and even give us a better outcome than what we prayed for, then our persistence will have won out. I really admire the widow in today’s Gospel who would not stop challenging the judge to render a decision for her so that she would be treated justly. The judge finally gives in because he sees how determined the widow is in receiving justice. God is much kinder than the judge in the Gospel, so we should always persist in asking our Father for what we need.           ~ Fr. John