Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’”
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Gospel:
This gospel is not simply about being persistent in prayer. Take note of the following:
- some parables of Jesus were addressed to the Pharisees or the general crowd; this one is addressed to the disciples, so it teaches the disciples something.
- Jesus told his disciples to "pray always without becoming weary"; it does not mean to pray throughout the day, but to pray in ALL circumstances, in good times and bad, especially in difficult times.
- this gospel was particularly meant for the disciples during their times of trials and difficulties, when their prayers were apparently not being answered.
- this is why this parable is told from the point of view of the judge -- his thoughts and motivations; he neither "feared God nor respected any human being", which is the worst description you can call a person.
- this despicable judge is the extreme contrast to God's love and mercy; yet he answered the widow's plea.
This gospel is not about the persistent widow, but the faithfulness of God. There will be times when God is apparently not answering our prayers; but in confident faith, we pray anyway.
Reference:
- Nil Guillemette, SJ, Parables for Today (Makati: St. Paul Publications, 1987), p. 275-278.
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’”
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Gospel:
This gospel is not simply about being persistent in prayer. Take note of the following:
- some parables of Jesus were addressed to the Pharisees or the general crowd; this one is addressed to the disciples, so it teaches the disciples something.
- Jesus told his disciples to "pray always without becoming weary"; it does not mean to pray throughout the day, but to pray in ALL circumstances, in good times and bad, especially in difficult times.
- this gospel was particularly meant for the disciples during their times of trials and difficulties, when their prayers were apparently not being answered.
- this is why this parable is told from the point of view of the judge -- his thoughts and motivations; he neither "feared God nor respected any human being", which is the worst description you can call a person.
- this despicable judge is the extreme contrast to God's love and mercy; yet he answered the widow's plea.
This gospel is not about the persistent widow, but the faithfulness of God. There will be times when God is apparently not answering our prayers; but in confident faith, we pray anyway.
Reference:
- Nil Guillemette, SJ, Parables for Today (Makati: St. Paul Publications, 1987), p. 275-278.
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