Daily Gospel Reflections for Nov 14, 2026

SPEAKER_1 (0:26)

Thank you.

Thank you. My brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. November 14, 2026, Saturday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

SPEAKER_2 (0:55)

He also spoke a parable to them, that they must always pray and not give up, saying, There was a judge in a certain city, who didn't fear God and didn't respect man. A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, Defend me from my adversary. He wouldn't for a while, but afterward he said to himself, Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming. The Lord said, Listen to what the unrighteous judge says. Won't God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them? I tell you that he will avenge them quickly.

Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

SPEAKER_1 (1:56)

The Gospel of the Lord.

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, well, it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bordering me, I shall deliver a just decision for her, lest she finally come and strike me. Jesus tells of a widow who keeps coming to a judge and asking for a just decision against her adversary. The judge neither fears God nor respects people, and for a long time, he refuses. Eventually, he grants her request because she continues to press him. The story places the widow's persistence beside the judge's indifference. She is not silenced by his lack of concern. She continues to claim the justice she needs.

Jesus is not presenting the judge as a picture of God. The contrast is important. The judge acts reluctantly and for his own convenience, while God hears the prayers of his people. The parable gives us reason to bring our needs to God persistently, especially when an answer seems delayed. Prayer is not a technique for wearing God down or forcing him to grant every request in the form we expect. It is a way of remaining in relationship and trusting that our cries matter to him.

Persistence in prayer can be difficult when we have asked for help many times and still face the same problem. We may begin to wonder whether anyone is listening. The widow's example does not promise that every legal dispute or personal difficulty will resolve immediately. It does encourage us not to surrender the desire for justice. We can continue praying, seek wise counsel, and take practical steps to protect ourselves or others.

Faith and action can accompany one another.

The widow's voice matters in a story where the powerful judge could easily dismiss her. Jesus draws attention to someone with little influence who refuses to accept injustice as normal. We can learn from her courage. When we witness unfair treatment, we may need to speak up, report harm, accompany someone to seek help, or support a person whose voice is ignored. These choices can carry risk, so it is wise to seek guidance and act with care. Silence is not always the most faithful response. Some prayers concern outcomes that are beyond our control. Healing, reconciliation or the choices of someone we love. We can keep asking God for these things while remaining open to help arriving in an unexpected way. Prayer can sustain us through a long process and give us courage to continue seeking what is right. It may also change our own response, helping us become more patient, more truthful or more ready to accept support. Jesus' story invites us to bring our appeals before God without shame. He knows how long we have been waiting and what makes the struggle hard. We can pray for ourselves and for people whose need for justice is greater than our own. Then we can listen for the next step we are called to take. The judge's indifference does not define God. The widow's persistence reminds us that the cry for justice should continue to be heard. Persistence also protects hope from becoming passive. The widow returns and makes her case. She does not pretend that the injustice is acceptable. Prayer can strengthen us to continue seeking a fair decision even when the process is slow. We can ask for endurance but also for the wisdom to find allies and the courage to use the proper channels available to us.