The purpose of Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel was reassurance. Jesus wanted his followers to draw strength from his continuing presence with them.

As Christians, the new life Jesus gives is the ultimate answer to all our questions. We need only make our act of faith in he who died and rose for us.

God is at work in the most unlikely of ways, and in people we may least expect to change. Repentance like that was—and is—the mission of Jesus.

Today’s Gospel continues a series of Gospel reflections on prayer. Coming before the Lord with our need, our sinfulness, our openness to God must be the starting point for our prayer.

We may seem powerless before all that is unjust in our world. We may get discouraged and lose heart. But Jesus’ parable today encourages not to.