Daily Gospel Reflection for November 16, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Kerri Baunach

Today's Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

“Pray always without becoming weary.”

Today’s Gospel is about the perseverance of prayer as illustrated by the widow who does not give up in asking the judge for a just decision. Do we have the same perseverance in prayer as this widow?

I’m not sure that I do. I do pray, but do I “pray always?” How exactly does one pray always, especially as a busy mother? It seems impractical. Even monks work. So how is this possible? Reflecting on this idea for myself, I see prayer as more than the traditional kneeling with hands together, speaking to God. We definitely need to do this, but prayer is so much more!

Prayer is an offering to our Lord. We can pray by offering all we do and say, how we treat others and ourselves, how we dress and present ourselves. Whether we are working, at leisure, or caring for others, we can do all as an offering of prayer to God.

Prayer should become second nature for us. We should pray not only to ask God for our needs, as is described in today’s parable, but also to give thanks and adoration to our Father in heaven. Pray in the morning, before meals, and at night before bed. Pray the daily Rosary for your intentions. Teach your children to pray. On top of all that, make all aspects of your life a prayer, an offering, to God.

Our speech, our dress, our actions, and all other parts of our daily lives can be a prayer. It’s not easy, I already know it won’t be for me, but it’s worth attempting. No effort is ever wasted. For me, it’s worth putting in the effort even if I fail daily.

Ponder:

What prayers are a regular part of your day, and in what ways can you make other aspects of your life a prayer, or offering, to God?

Pray:

Dear God, may my prayers be ever persistent and pleasing to You. May my life reflect the love and faith I have in You.

Copyright 2024 Kerri Baunach

Kerri Baunach lives in Lexington, KY, with her husband and three boys. She’s a Benedictine Oblate with the Archabbey of St. Meinrad in Indiana, attends the Traditional Latin Mass, and has written on her own, now-abandoned, blog, for Catholic Sistas, and many Gospel Reflections for Catholic Mom.