𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗢𝗗 | 19 October 2025 HOMILY w/ Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD | 29th Sunday

Summary

This homily emphasizes the importance of maintaining a persistent and heartfelt prayer life, comparing daily prayer to an appointment with God. The speaker urges the congregation to move beyond obligation or need and to pray with desire, out of gratitude. Prayer is framed as an ongoing conversation with God, present throughout the day in all circumstances. The homily also highlights the significance of intercessory prayer, family prayer, and prayer in times of struggle, while encouraging faith, humility, and trust in God's presence. It concludes with a call to prayer for the world and a structured ACTS prayer for reflection.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prayer is essential and should be a constant in our lives, not just a duty, but a desire to connect with God out of gratitude.
• 😀 There are three levels of prayer: out of obligation, out of need, and out of desire. The highest form is praying out of a genuine desire to be with God.
• 😀 The most important appointment of your day is your appointment with God, and it begins when you wake up each morning.
• 😀 Never forget your final appointment with God, which can happen at any time. Prepare for this by maintaining a consistent prayer life.
• 😀 Prayer doesn’t just happen in church or in formal settings—it should be a continuous conversation with God throughout the day.
• 😀 Incorporating moments of prayer throughout your day, whether in moments of joy, frustration, or routine, helps build an ongoing relationship with God.
• 😀 Simple prayers like 'Jesus, I trust in you. Mama Mary, I love you.' are powerful, especially in moments of stress or uncertainty.
• 😀 Silence and tears are also forms of prayer, as they come from the heart and communicate deeply with God even when words fail.
• 😀 Persistence in prayer, just like the widow in the Gospel, is key. Continue praying, even when it feels like God isn’t responding immediately.
• 😀 Prayer isn’t only for ourselves—it’s important to pray for others, and intercessory prayers like the Rosary help lift up those around us.

Q & A

What is the main message of the Gospel reading from St. Luke in the script?

The main message is about the necessity of persistent prayer. The parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge emphasizes that just as the widow's persistence eventually led to justice, God's chosen ones will receive justice speedily if they persist in prayer.

What are the three levels of prayer mentioned in the homily?

The three levels of prayer are: 1) Prayer out of obligation, where people pray because they feel they have to. 2) Prayer out of need, where people recognize their dependence on God. 3) Prayer out of desire, where people genuinely want to pray, seeking closeness to God out of gratitude.

How does the priest encourage people to approach their prayer life?

The priest encourages people to make prayer a daily, intentional appointment with God. He stresses the importance of starting each day with gratitude, praying consistently, and cultivating an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day.

What is the significance of the priest's 'appointment notebook'?

The priest uses his appointment notebook to highlight the importance of daily appointments. He likens it to how people schedule everything in their lives but should never forget their most important appointment: their time with God, both in the morning and throughout their lives.

What does the priest say about the importance of morning prayer?

The priest emphasizes that morning prayer should be the first thing people do when they wake up, thanking God for the gift of life. He suggests making a conscious effort to acknowledge God's presence before starting any daily activities.

Why does the priest highlight the 'final appointment' with God?

The priest underscores the importance of being prepared for the ultimate appointment with God at the end of life. He stresses that if people keep their daily appointments with God, they will not have to worry when that final moment comes.

What role does the priest suggest prayer plays during difficult times?

During challenging moments, the priest suggests that prayer provides comfort, healing, hope, and peace. He encourages people to persist in prayer, whether through words or even tears, as these are powerful forms of communication with God.

What example does the priest use to illustrate persistence in prayer?

The priest shares a humorous anecdote about a lawyer who persisted in getting through a traffic jam by insisting he was a relative of the victim, despite the absurdity of the claim. This is used to highlight the importance of persistence in prayer, even when faced with obstacles.

How does the priest recommend maintaining an ongoing conversation with God?

The priest suggests that people maintain an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day, similar to how bloggers document everything in their lives. This means acknowledging God’s presence during all activities, such as driving, eating, or feeling emotional, and speaking to God in real-time.

What is the significance of the prayer 'Jesus, I trust in you. Mama Mary, I love you.'?

This simple but powerful prayer holds deep personal significance for the priest. He recalls praying it during a traumatic accident and finding comfort in it during his own health struggles. The prayer expresses trust in Jesus and love for Mary, and the priest encourages others to pray it as a reminder of God's presence in their lives.