Persistence

First Reading Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9 1814For while gentle silence enveloped all things, and night in its swift course was now half gone, 15thy all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed, a stern warrior 16carrying the sharp sword of thy authentic command, and stood and filled all things with death, and touched heaven while standing on the earth. 196For the whole creation in its nature was fashioned anew, complying with thy commands, that thy children might be kept unharmed. 7The cloud was seen overshadowing the camp, and dry land emerging where water had stood before, an unhindered way out of the Red Sea, and a grassy plain out of the raging waves, 8where those protected by thy hand passed through as one nation, after gazing on marvelous wonders. 9For they ranged like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who didst deliver them. Responsorial Psalm Psalms 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43 2Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works! 3Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 36He smote all the first-born in their land, the first issue of all their strength. 37Then he led forth Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. 42For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. 43So he led forth his people with joy, his chosen ones with singing. Gospel Luke 18:1-8 1And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, `Vindicate me against my adversary.' 4For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, `Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" 6And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"