Thomas Aquinas, on 1Tim 5:5

“But she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, let her trust in God, and continue in supplications and prayers night and day.”

“Then when he says, but she who is a widow indeed, he treats of true widows: first, he shows who are true widows; second, how they are to be instructed, at let her trust in God. He says, therefore: she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, i.e., has no human consolation, namely, children and grandchildren, and no other refuge, let her trust in God, even in regard to temporal subsidies provided by the Church. First, she should be instructed to pursue the good; second, to avoid evil, at and command this. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he shows how a widow should occupy her time; second, he gives the reason, at for she who lives. He says, therefore: let her trust in God and make acts worthy of hope, which is done by prayer and entreaty through which one obtains what is hoped. For prayer is the lifting up of the mind to God; and supplication is an entreaty through sacred things. Therefore, he continues: and continue in supplications and prayers night and day. He says, night and day, because it is impossible for a person to be entirely without anxiety. Therefore, since a widow has nothing to occupy her, she ought to devote all her time to God: Anna did not depart from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day (Luke 2:37); she made herself a private chamber in the upper part of her house (Jdt 8:5).”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.