"Evildoers prosper". Malachi quotes this opinion of his contemporaries, and many people throughout the centuries have held a similar opinion. However, by the mercy and grace of God, throughout the centuries there have also been "those who fear the Lord", people who "speak together in such a way that the Lord hears them". Malachi was reflecting on his own situation some 400 years before Jesus. We read his words two thousand years after Jesus was born, and so have a greater reason to believe that the Lord will hear "those who fear the Lord" and who speak together, especially when that speaking is prayer. Jesus promised us this: where two or three gather in His name He is there in their midst. This promise is reinforced by Jesus' teaching on prayer, such as we read in today's passage from St. Luke.

As we look at our world it is not too difficult to feel that "evildoers prosper". No matter how difficult it may be, we Christians must keep alive the belief that "the sun of justice will arise with its healing rays". The certainty that God is with us is the only basis for hope in a world that denies the presence of God.