A Homily on Luke 6:12–19 :  The Night of Prayer ( 9-9-25)

 A homily showing how deep prayer guides our choices and strengthens family and faith life, inspired by Luke 6:12–19. (9-9-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

Once, a man was in deep agony because he lost everything in gambling and he had to sell his land, his cattle, and even his house, leaving his wife and children in hunger. One night, sitting on the roadside in shame, he whispered, “My life is ruined and even God does not want me.” An old traveller who passed by heard him says this.  He went to him and looked at the broken man and said, “You are right, you have lost much. But let me tell you one truth. You lost everything because you listened only to your own heart. If you had spent even one night listening to God in prayer, you would not be sitting here in the dust.”

Those words pierced his heart. That night he went to a small chapel nearby, knelt down, and for the first time in his life, prayed. From that day, his life began to change. He found work, he rebuilt trust with his family, and he often told others, “The night I prayed was the night I truly began to live again.”

This story reminds us of today’s Gospel. Jesus was about to make one of the most important choices in His ministry — choosing the twelve apostles. He did not decide in a hurry. He did not depend only on human plans. The Gospel says, “He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night He continued in prayer to God.” Only after this night of prayer did He call those who would share His mission.

The word mountain is important. In the Bible, the mountain is a place where heaven and earth meet. Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the commandments. Elijah went up Mount Carmel to hear the gentle whisper of God. By going to the mountain, Jesus shows us that every true decision must be rooted in God.

The other word that stands out is night. Night is a time of silence but also of darkness. Many of our own decisions are made in such darkness, when we feel lost or afraid. In those moments we are tempted to trust only ourselves, and like the young man in the story, we may hurt our families and ourselves. But Jesus shows us another way: when night comes, spend it with God, and light will rise.

This lesson touches our daily life. Parents must decide how to guide their children. Children must choose whether to listen or ignore. A husband and wife decide whether to forgive or to argue. Young people decide whether to use the mobile phone for good or for waste. And all these decisions become wiser when we begin with prayer. Jesus did not pray for a few minutes but gave the whole night. Important choices in life require time with God. Today, too often, families begin with money, with advice of friends, or with fear of the future. Rarely do they begin with prayer. Yet when we begin with prayer, even the hardest choice carries peace.

Look at the Bible and the saints. Before facing Pharaoh, Moses prayed. Before fighting Goliath, David trusted God. Before beginning her mission, Mother Teresa spent hours in adoration. A wise saying reminds us, “Prayer is the key of the morning and the bolt of the evening.”

Dear brothers and sisters, remember the gambler who changed when he prayed. Remember Jesus who spent the night on the mountain. Before we make choices in our families, in our religious life, or in our daily struggles, let us first seek God in prayer. For in prayer we learn to see with God’s eyes and to choose with God’s heart.

Lord , help me to create a good friendship with You . Amen.

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God Bless…