Saturday, November 18, 2023
Wis 18:14-16, 19: 6-9; Lk 18:1-8
In today’s Gospel, Jesus highlights the importance of persistence in prayer.
Jesus lets us see the character of the three people involved in the parable.
God: We may wonder why Jesus gives the example of the unjust judge to teach perseverance in prayer. The parable of the unjust judge serves as an example of how God will be unlike him. In other words, Jesus gives the parable to contrast the goodness of God with the wickedness of the judge. Unlike the judge, God answers our prayers out of love and mercy, and not because He is bothered by them. Prayer is an appeal made to God in love and trust. God’s answer comes in reward for that.
The Unjust Judge: He was unjust because he neither feared God nor respected humans. Jesus lets us see the consequences of not fearing God. Jesus means that we cannot expect anything good to come out of a person who does not fear God. In addition, we cannot love those who bear God’s image and likeness if we don’t love God. Loving God is a prerequisite to loving humans more fully and sincerely.
The Relentless Widow: She is an exemplar for our prayer life. Despite knowing the odds, she profoundly believes that she will get help. Her unwavering faith is what we need to inherit. If she did not give up even though she was dealing with an unjust judge, how confident should we remain because we are asking of a loving God? She helps us stay rooted in our relationship with God through prayer.
Hence, Jesus wants us to persevere in prayer because we are praying to a loving God. If we have this motivation, then prayer will be our first option and not our final resort.
Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar
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Glory be to God. This is the Word of God well taught. I’ve gained more insights and revelation about the nature of God in relation to our prayers. Blessed be God for this.
More Grace to you!