Parable
of the Persistent Widow
(Luke 18.1-8)
Then
Jesus told them 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?”
Pope Francis’s
Commentary
We all go through times of tiredness and discouragement, especially when
our prayers seem ineffective. But Jesus assures us: unlike the dishonest judge,
God promptly answers his children, even though this doesn’t mean he will
necessarily do it when and how we would like. Prayer does not work like a magic
wand! It helps us keep faith in God, and to entrust ourselves to him even when
we do not understand his will. In this, Jesus himself — who prayed constantly!
— is our model….
The parable ends with a question: “when the Son of man comes, will he
find faith on earth?” (v. 8). And with this question we are all warned: we must
not cease to pray, even if left unanswered. It is prayer that conserves the
faith, without it faith falters! Let us ask the Lord for a faith that is
incessant prayer, persevering, like that of the widow in the parable, a faith
that nourishes our desire for his coming. And in prayer let us experience that
compassion of God, who like a Father comes to encounter his children, full of
merciful love.
(General Audience. May 25, 2016)
Examination of
Conscience
People
who require mercy are often desperate and therefore quite demanding, like the
persistent widow.
Can
you think of instances in which you withhold mercy because a person is too
demanding?
Today’s Prayer
Divine God of
Mercy, help us always remember that you care for us as a mother cares for her
children, even when we least deserve it. Help us be merciful to others even when they
are persistent and demanding.
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