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Jesus told his disciples a parable
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, “There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.’”
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
When it was time for me to consider future college plans, I was invited to apply through the Questbridge program. Questbridge is special because high-achieving students from low-income families are able to rank the schools they wish to attend. Through this scholarship application, students have a chance to get matched to one of the schools they rank. Today’s gospel reminds me of this process.
In early September of my Senior year of high school, I began to rank the schools I desired to apply to through Questbridge. As the semester progressed, I was chosen to move forward with sending my application, but in December I was unfortunately not matched with any schools.
Throughout this entire process, I kept praying day and night that I may get into a good university. So not getting matched felt very disappointing. Two weeks later, I opened a rejection letter from a prestigious university. I felt scared and anxious, especially because minutes later an early action decision would update in my Notre Dame portal. When my Notre Dame portal updated, I ran away and prayed one simple prayer, “Please, Lord, just one school… I trust that I will end up committing to the school you have planned for me.” A minute later, I let out a cry of relief. I happily stared at the “Welcome Home” banner on my portal. I finally felt at peace.
In a moment when stress and anxiety from college applications were at their peak, God was quick to ease my stress. God answered my prayers and ensured that I could attend this university to grow into the person I need to be. Let this gospel remind us to be patiently persistent with our prayers by having faith that God has answered them in the ways which best suit our needs.
Our Father, have you heard our cries? Have you heard our calls, our small voices, hoarse and tight? You tell us not to lose heart. Wash our hearts with grace so that we may trust your promise, so that our heavy hearts will not be lost in the night. You promise to send your justice, bright and burning. Will the Son of Man find faith on the earth? Give us this faith, O God. Quicken our hearts, spark and winnow our hope into a flame of love that expects your justice, and rejoices when it blossoms. Amen.
A PODCAST BY FAITH ND
Karen Dehais
Concluding this season is a conversation with Karen Dehais ’85, detailing her work with Catholic Charities, her continued service to Notre Dame, and thoughts on finding balance in her career and family life.
Mike and Elizabeth Tomasek
We sit down with Mike and Elizabeth Tomasek, who provide a glimpse into a marriage and family life defined by mutual growth in faith, support through career changes, and true confidence in the love they have for each other.
Prof. Meghan Sullivan
Prof. Meghan Sullivan shares the ways God has guided important moments in her life, including teaching philosophy at Notre Dame, creating the God and the Good Life course, and serving as a key leader in the conversation about faith and artificial intelligence.
Deacon Kevin Conneely
Deacon Kevin Conneely ’85, from Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, offers his perspective on family life, transitioning from trial lawyer to permanent deacon, and helping a community heal in the aftermath of unfathomable tragedy.
Dr. Joanna Fava
We join Dr. Joanna Fava ’01 for a moment of gentle conversation as she reflects on her work as a psychologist, how she helps people find hope in the midst of trauma, and where her faith guides her in a broader life of service.
Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC
A priest who has been a professor, administrator, and university president, Fr. Mark Poorman, CSC, has offered his gifts to many people and places over the years.
Bobby Kloska
Sit in the pub with Bobby Kloska ’90, a man whose deep faith, hopeful outlook, and profound joy may seem surprising given the many hardships he has faced in life.
Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM
We conclude this season with the unique perspective of Sr. Mariana Koonce, RSM, a physician and Navy veteran who discovered a latent call to religious life with the Religious Sisters of Mercy.
Kristin Komyatte Sheehan
Having spent much of her time cheering from various sidelines, Kristin Komyatte Sheehan ’90 offers a seasoned perspective on the place of faith and virtues in all types of athletics.
Tim and Ryan O’Neill
Share in the music and story of The O’Neill Brothers, who have touched many lives through their talents on the piano as well as more recently by establishing a family foundation.
Laura Kelly Fanucci
We next share the story of Laura Kelly Fanucci ’03, a Catholic author whose joy shines even through moments of deep suffering, giving witness to an integrated life of love and compassion for others.
Dr. Craig Humphreys
Travel from Alaska to Africa with Dr. Craig Humphreys ’86 as he describes finding God in nature, the love of his family, and the people he has served around the world.
Fr. Joe Carey, CSC
Whether in the residence halls, wedding churches, or teaching communities of the Alliance for Catholic Education, Fr. Joe Carey, CSC, has become a resource, friend, and spiritual mentor to so many over the years.
Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas
We begin Season 12 with the beautiful and sometimes heart-rending story of Mike Griffin and Jessica Thomas, a married couple who have combined their lives after the shared cross of losing their first spouses to a rare illness.
Prof. Margaret Pfeil
Season 11 concludes with Prof. Margaret Pfeil, including her long-time commitments of living at the local Catholic Worker community, advocating for peace, and seeking justice for all of God’s people.
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC
Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC, shares the moments that eventually led him to a vocation in religious life and priesthood, along with a specific ministry of forming aspiring Catholic teachers.
Avis Boyd
We continue this season with Avis Boyd, a longtime volunteer and alumna of Notre Dame, as she shares her perspective on moving through life with purpose, conviction, and a deep faith, even in the face of adversity.
Tim and Lindsay Will
Meet Tim and Lindsay Will, two graduates of the Alliance for Catholic Education program, who help us contemplate the meaning of loss, love, and the family ties that bind us to one another.
Dr. Andrew McShane
Hear the story of Dr. Andrew McShane, Director of the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, as he reflects on a vocation that took shape over time through beautiful music, unexpected loss, and the lasting example of others.
Nan Tulchinsky
Sit courtside with Nan Tulchinsky, a longtime scorekeeper for Notre Dame Women’s and Men’s Basketball, as she shares stories of her remarkable life of dedication to her family, local community, and Catholic faith.
Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR
We begin a new season with Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, as he shares his path towards religious life and priesthood, co-founding a new expression of Franciscan life, and the unexpected calling of a new ministry.
Veronica Alonzo
We complete this season by speaking with Veronica Alonzo, Associate Superintendent for the Dallas Catholic Schools, about discovering meaning in personal loss, her vocation as an educator, and perspectives on Catholic education.
Dr. Jim O’Connell
Walk the streets of Boston with Dr. Jim O’Connell as he describes his long path to a medical career and the surprising, longstanding vocation of serving others through the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program.
Lisa Orchen
Lisa Orchen details her calling to ministry in the Church and how that has changed over the years as the demands of life have shifted, always requiring continual discernment of God’s will.
We welcome you to submit your prayers for yourself and others. A volunteer will offer them on your behalf at the Grotto, where a candle representing all prayer requests remains perpetually lit.
Daily Gospel Reflection
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