Persevere in Faith

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

19 October 2025

 

First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

Gospel: Luke 18:1-8

 

Reflection

By: Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

 

Last Thursday, October 16, I celebrated my first anniversary as a government employee. To mark the occasion, I attended Mass at San Agustin Church and ate my favorite food for dinner.

It has been a year since God granted one of my heart’s deepest desires. But the journey to get here was not easy. Without any influential connections, relying solely on God’s grace, I courageously applied to various national government agencies. Every week, I would check the Civil Service Commission website for new job postings. I took several exams, went through multiple interviews, holding onto hope each time. My private prayers and every mass attendance were dedicated to the specific intention of finally landing to a government job.

There was one particular job that I was scheduled for a final interview, only to have it canceled on the same day. The job posting was about to expire within that week, and the Executive Director decided it would be better to restart the whole process, to avoid any potential technical issues with the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment guidelines. It was heartbreaking to be so close and yet, have everything I worked for nine months suddenly went to waste, due to a procedural issue that was not my fault.

At that point, I was exhausted, so tired of applying and even of praying. Despite the physical, emotional, and spiritual drains, I would still send applications for positions I felt qualified for, showed up and gave my best during examinations and interviews, held myself together when rejected, stayed positive when redirected, prayed daily, attended mass as I used to, clinging onto Jesus. Not a single day went by without me whispering my prayer intention, trusting that one day, the Lord would answer. And yes, after the long wait, 1 year, 9 months, and 18 days to be exact, God finally blessed my heart’s desire, in His perfect timing. It was so perfect that the good news came to me on the feast day of my favorite saint. And here I am now, I just celebrated my first anniversary as a government employee, thanks to the Lord's goodness.

Today's Gospel narrates the parable on how a dishonest judge finally gave in to the persistent request of the widow to deliver a just decision for her adversary. Her perseverance led to her deliverance. How much more can our merciful Lord do to a persevering person? As Jesus said, "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."

Sometimes the answer to our prayers takes time, rejection and redirection meet us on the way. But, may we acknowledge that this is where God teaches us, the perseverance in prayer, to never grow weary, to always trust God's will and timing.

As we walk our own paths, traverses our respective journeys, pursues different goals, let us continue to trust God and persevere in everything we do. In His perfect time, He will bless us abundantly.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for all the blessings. When life gets rough, please help us to persevere and do not lose track of You. Amen.