Twenty-ninth Ordinary

Luke 18: 1 – 3

Jesus told them a story showing that it is necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in a city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’”

Jesus tells the story of the persistent widow who refuses to give up until justice is granted. At first, it seems like a parable about prayer – and it is. But for those of us in Catholic education, it also speaks directly to the heart of our vocation.

Jesus begins by telling his disciples that they “should always pray and not give up.” That simple instruction holds a deep truth. Teaching is full of moments when our energy wanes, when a student resists learning, when we wonder if the effort is worth it. And yet the call is clear: do not lose heart. The most transformative work often happens not in dramatic breakthroughs, but through steady, faithful presence.

Think about what persistence looks like in our classrooms. It’s the choice to keep showing up with patience for the student who tests every limit. It’s the extra explanation we give when a learner still doesn’t grasp the concept. It’s the prayer whispered before class, asking for strength when we feel weak. Our consistent love and faithfulness, even when unseen, carry a quiet power.

The truth is, much of what we plant will not bear fruit immediately. Sometimes we won’t know the impact of our words or witness until years later. That’s why the parable begins with prayer. Persistence without prayer becomes exhausting. Persistence rooted in prayer becomes grace-filled. It keeps us grounded in the truth that God is at work in ways far beyond what we can measure or see.

In a culture that craves instant results, Catholic educators are called to model perseverance. Our students need to see in us a faith that doesn’t give up, a hope that stays steady, a love that endures. The widow in Jesus’ story seemed powerless, but her persistence changed everything. So too can our quiet faithfulness in the lives of our students.

Perhaps the invitation this week is to name one place in your teaching where you’re tempted to give up. Maybe it’s a student who feels unreachable, a class dynamic that wears you down, or even your own prayer life. What would it look like to stay faithful there – to bring it before God daily, to knock again, to trust that grace is at work?

Catholic education has never been about quick wins. It’s about forming hearts and minds, and that takes time, trust, and perseverance. Let’s be people who keep knocking, keep loving, and keep believing that God is moving in our classrooms.