By Msgr. Joseph Prior • Posted October 16, 2025

(Readings for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

The intercession of St. Monica is often sought when a parent is concerned, worried or distraught over the behavior of their children. Her persistence in prayer for her son, Augustine, is well documented through his writings.

In the Confessions, Augustine recalls her steadfast prayer for his conversion and baptism. She prayed long and hard but eventually her prayers were answered, far beyond what she had hoped. Augustine eventually became an engaged, energetic, zealous and steadfast disciple and apostle of Christ in His Church. Monica’s persistence in prayer is wonderfully described by her son as he recalls an incident on his long and winding journey to faith.

The year was 371; he was 16 years old. He and Monica were in Carthage, a port city on the northern coast of Africa. He wanted to go to Rome, alone. Monica did not want to separate. So the son deceived his mother and sailed away while she slept. He left her there alone in Carthage, waking only to weep.

He recalls:

But I deceived her, when she violently restrained me either that she might retain me or accompany me, and I pretended that I had a friend whom I could not quit until he had a favorable wind to set sail. And I lied to my mother — and such a mother! — and got away. For this also You [Lord] have in mercy pardoned me, saving me, thus replete with abominable pollutions, from the waters of the sea, for the water of Your grace, whereby, when I was purified, the fountains of my mother’s eyes should be dried, from which for me she day by day watered the ground under her face.

And yet, refusing to go back without me, it was with difficulty I persuaded her to remain that night in a place quite close to our ship, where there was an oratory in memory of the blessed Cyprian.

That night I secretly left, but she was not backward in prayers and weeping. And what was it, O Lord, that she, with such an abundance of tears, was asking of You, but that You would not permit me to sail? But You, mysteriously counselling and hearing the real purpose of her desire, granted not what she then asked, in order to make me what she was ever asking [a Catholic Christian]. The wind blew and filled our sails, and withdrew the shore from our sight; and she, wild with grief, was there on the morrow, and filled Your ears with complaints and groans, which You disregarded; while, by the means of my longings, You were hastening me on to the cessation of all longing, and the gross part of her love to me was whipped out by the just lash of sorrow.

But, like all mothers — though even more than others — she loved to have me with her, and knew not what joy You were preparing for her by my absence. Being ignorant of this, she did weep and mourn, and in her agony was seen the inheritance of Eve, — seeking in sorrow what in sorrow she had brought forth. And yet, after accusing my perfidy and cruelty, she again continued her intercessions for me with You, returned to her accustomed place, and I to Rome. (Augustine, Confessions, V.15)

Augustine’s reflection on his mother’s prayer and God’s plan for him and her may give us some insights into the importance of persistence in prayer.

Monica’s greatest prayer and most longed-for desire was that Augustine be baptized Catholic. There on the shore of Carthage she wanted either Augustine to stay with her or for her to go with him to Rome. She also prayed for this.

However, God wanted Augustine to go on his own to Rome so that he would eventually find faith. Augustine reflects that Monica’s lesser prayer was delayed (she would be with Augustine again) so that the greater prayer could be answered.

Jesus offers us the parable of the dishonest judge to emphasize the importance of persistence in prayer. St. Luke describes this persistence as being able to “pray always without becoming weary.”  That may seem like a mighty task, and at times it is.

Intercessory prayer which seeks something particular requires several things. Persistence is one of them, but also a willingness through faith to trust that God knows better than we what is best for us and for whomever we pray.

In the parable, Jesus emphasizes that the woman is seeking a ‘just verdict’ from the dishonest judge. He does not listen to her because her request is just, but rather because she is persistent. If the dishonest judge does this; wouldn’t God, who is just, provide help for those who call on Him? The implied answer is “yes.” Jesus confirms saying: I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.” Then he ties in faith asking the rhetorical question: “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

The question is raised as a further point for reflection. The Son of Man is a title used in the scriptures for the divine judge who comes to deliver justice at the end times. Jesus is the Son of Man. He is the just judge. Jesus is the antithesis of the dishonest judge in the parable, he comes to offer justice, but do or will people believe? The answer is yes and no; some believe, some do not. But how does this relate to the parable, the message of persistence? I think the point here is two-fold.

Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem (cf. Luke 9:51) where he will embrace the cross. Rejection heightens with the approach to Jerusalem. The rejection is based on man’s failure to recognize God’s plan within His suffering; it is a rejection of faith.

The second point is that prayer requires faith. God’s plan is much bigger than what we can see or project for ourselves. Trust is needed in not only our asking God for particular things but also as we wait to see how it will be answered.

The first reading gives us another example of praying and not growing weary. Moses’ arms raised over the troops as the Israelites battle is a symbolic gesture for prayer. He is invoking the Lord asking for assistance. When he grows weary, tired of holding up his arms, Aaron and Hur assist Him.

Perhaps this is a reminder for us that we do not always pray alone. We have each other to support and encourage us as we do for others. God binds us together through Christ Jesus. We support each other in prayer especially when we feel tired and worn out with waiting.

Persistence in prayer is built on the foundation of faith. Monica’s faith enabled her to pray even when weary, even when she did not understand, even when she suffered the pain of separation and loss.

Her prayer was from the heart and it was for the good. She believed that God, who is all just and merciful, would hear her pleas. God heard those pleas.

Although it might seem, in the eyes of man, like a delayed response, it was right on time. Her prayer was answered beyond her imagining. So it is with us when we are persistent in prayer through faith.

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Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Penndel, and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Read more reflections by Msgr. Joseph Prior here.