The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
“Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.”
As I write this, I’m 38 weeks pregnant with baby #4 and let me tell you, I’m feeling weary. That’s not a complaint but an honest fact. My body and mind are made of mush. I’ve lost the ability to wake up early and pray before the kids get up. I get annoyed when they inevitably interrupt me as I attempt some midday prayer and journaling. By the end of the day, I’m bone tired and just want to numb my brain with a quick 20-minute show.
Lately I find myself acting like the dishonest judge in the Gospel: getting things done just so everyone will stop bothering me. God certainly has a sense of humor, because what pregnant woman with 3 kids to chase around and homeschool wants to be convicted to pray in my weariness, and to meet the needs of my family with love as my Good Father answers my own?
I have to remind myself: God sees all of me. Every facet. He’s not immune to my weariness nor does He turn away from it. But He does place convictions in my heart for a reason. And this one—to “pray without growing weary”—strikes a nerve, because it forces me to face that this weariness often stems from a lack of trust, a lack of faith. It reminds me that showing up perfectly isn’t what He requests. He asks me to show up in faith, despite my imperfection.
Maybe you’re in a season of asking God to seek justice for something (like the right to lay in your bed unbothered). Maybe you’re weary from praying for the same thing day in and day out as life tramples onward.
Wherever you are, I sincerely pray that you and I can trample forward together in faith, so that when, not if, our Good Father answers us, He will find us in hopeful faith and trust.
Viva Crouse is a wife, mother, and Catholic fitness and nutrition coach. She's an advocate for women to become strong physically and spiritually so when God calls them to act, they can say "yes, Lord, I'm ready." When she's not chasing toddlers or changing diapers you can find her reheating creamy coffee, reading her latest book club novel, or dreaming of a salty margarita by the beach. You can find out more about what she does here!
