Jesus spoke to the crowds
of his day in parables because that is what they understood, that was how he
could get his teachings across to them.
Today, we have a wonderful parable that really captures our imagination,
but what does the story of a persistent widow, who was very rough around the
edges, who pesters a shameless and unjust judge tell us about the kingdom of
God?
Jesus tells us a story
that is true even in our day: those who are taken advantage of in our society
and who are denied their rights. Through
persistence and tenacity, she wears the judge down until he gives her
justice. Persistence pays off, that is
the lesson I myself have learned in my time here in the Diocese of Jackson as a
priest. Persistence especially pays off
for those of us who place our trust in God.
We can easily lose heart in the stress and frustrations of our modern
world, so much so that we can forget to ask our Lord for his grace and his
help. I believe that Jesus told his
disciples this parable in order to give them fresh hope and confidence in their
faith, especially when they are faced with trials & adversity.
Jesus ends this parable by
asking: “When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Will we have faith that perseveres until the
end times, a faith that has its roots in a freely given gift that God gives to
us? If we want to persevere in our
faith, we must nourish it and pray that it increase. And I wonder: Do we pray with expectant
faith? Do we pray in confidence in God's
merciful care & in his grace & providence for us?
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