It is 27th October 2019. We celebrate the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings are from Sirach 35:12-14, 16-19; the second reading is from 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; the Gospel from Luke 18:9-14. There is nothing wrong with our praying. God does not choose to listen. God listens to all prayers invariably. The prayers of the vulnerable like the widows, orphans and the humble listened keenly by God and answers them swiftly. God does not ignore the tears of the poor and the humble. But God answers the prayers wrapped in humility and the services that pleases God. The Lord never makes the humble person to wait when he/she intercedes the Lord. “The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and it will not rest until it reaches its goal; it will not desist until the Most High responds.” (Sir.35:18). The pride and arrogant attitude in us that delays the prayer. The responsorial Psalm intercedes, “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.” (Ps.34:7). The second reading teaches us from the life of St. Paul to ask God in times of trials, tribulations when our service to the Lord pleases Him. “So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom.” (2 Tim 4:18). The Gospel urges us to have the attitude of the tax collector in presenting ourselves in the presence of God. The Catechism teaches in 2631, “The first movement of the prayer of petition is asking forgiveness, like the tax collector in the parable: “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” It is a prerequisite for righteous and pure prayer. A trusting humility brings us back into the light of communion between the Father and his Son Jesus Christ and with one another, so that “we receive from him whatever we ask.” Asking forgiveness is the prerequisite for both the Eucharistic liturgy and personal prayer.” God does not play with human emotions, pain and the waves and vibes of the heart. Yet, God firmly deals with those who abuse and ignore the services to the suffering humanity and indifference shown towards the poor and the broken hearted. We need to be watchful about our self-righteous attitudes that denies the place of humility in our lives. In our parishes, work places and in our families, there are many self-proclaimed judges who want to do clean-up campaigning while their households, and their hearts are filthy and devoid of charity. When we humbly submit ourselves in the presence of God, God fills us with grace and mercy. May we enjoy the entire we thanking for this extraordinary missionary month and let us start delivering the message of Christ’s love to all being humble missionary disciples of the Lord and the Church. May you have a good day. May God bless you.