Our Sabbath Scripture Stories – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle C

Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

  • Exodus 17:8-13
  • 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
  • Luke 18:1-8

Mom woke up early this Sunday morning and laid out eight notebooks and eight pencils around the dining room table.  She had something special in mind to do with her family after they read the Gospel for this morning. 

After breakfast, Mom called the family into the dining room where she had the notebooks and pencils.  “Martin, why don’t you read the Scripture passage for this morning, and then I’ll do the rest,” she instructed her husband.

Dad read the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18.  This reading dealt with the power of persistent prayer.  As the reading put it, “Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?”  (Luke 18:7a)

“Okay, Therese, we’re ready for whatever you have planned!” Martin said.

Mrs. Pauline pulled out an old notebook from the cabinet.  It looked used and worn.  “This, my dear family, is something very special to me,” Mrs. Pauline said.  “This is my prayer journal from when I was a child.  Each day I would write down my prayers and keep praying for these things until I got an answer.  I did this for several years, and you’d be amazed how faithful God has been to me!”

“That’s great, Mom,” Vincent said.  “And … I think I see the handwriting on the wall on this one.  Is that the reason we all have these notebooks and pencils in front of us?”

“How observant, Vincent!” Mom chuckled.  “As a matter of fact, YES!  I think it would be both fun and faith-building for us to start our own personal prayer journals.”

Each of the Paulines eagerly grabbed their notebooks and pens.

“What do we do first, Mom?” Mary Clare asked.

“Well, on the first page, I think it’s important to write down some ideas of where we can pray and different ways we can pray.  So, let’s divide our page down the middle.  At the top of one side we’ll put, Places to Pray.  Then, at the top of the other side, we’ll write, Ways to Pray.“

Everyone got started.  Dad helped 4-year-old Hillary do her columns while 1-year-old Ben was content just to scribble circles on his paper.

“Now, who can tell me of different places we can pray?” Mom asked.  A chorus of church – chapel – school and anywhere was heard.

“Great!” Mom replied.  “Now, who can tell me different ways to pray?”  Again, the kids shouted out things like rosary – formal prayers – singing – and just talking to God.

Mom continued, “On the following pages, whenever you have a prayer request for the Lord, write it down in your own journal with the date.  Then, remember to keep praying for God to honor your prayer request.  You’ll see in your own handwriting how faithful God is.”

“Did you do that, Mom?” Hillary asked.  “Was God faithful to you?”

“Well, let me give you just one example,” Mom said as she scanned the pages of her childhood journal.  “Ah, yes … right here!  Listen to what I wrote on May 19, 1962: Dear Jesus, Today I’m asking you for a very special request.  I know that I am only 9  years old, but PLEASE God, if I am to get married, please guide and care for my future husband.  I’m sure I don’t even know him yet, but I know he’s already walking around, breathing, and living right now.  I want to marry a wonderful person, and I like brown hair!  Thank you, God.  Love, Therese.” 

Mrs. Pauline looked over to her husband, Martin, and said, “See, Kids, God is faithful!”

Start your own prayer journal.

Then you can see for yourself how faithful God is to you!

Would you prefer a print a copy of this story?

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – CDownload

Our mission is to help parents respond to the Church’s call to be “the first and foremost educators of their children” and to help families grow in the transforming love of God by understanding and living our beautiful Catholic Faith!

Are you looking for more ways to help your family reclaim Sundays and grow closer to Jesus together?