GOSPEL READING:
Luke 18:1-81 And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, `Vindicate me against my adversary.' 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, `Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Meditation: What can a shameless and unjust judge pitted
against a crusty and pestering woman teach us about justice and
vindication in the kingdom of God? Jesus tells a story that is all
too true - a defenseless widow is taken advantaged of and refused
her rights. Through sheer persistence she wears down an
unscrupulous judge until he gives her justice. Persistence pays
off, and that's especially true for those who trust in God. Jesus
illustrates how God as our Judge and Vindicator is much quicker to
come to our defense and to bring us his justice, blessing, and
help when we need it. But we can easily lose heart and forget to
ask our heavenly Father for his grace and help.
Faith-filled persistence reaps the fruit of justice
and grace
Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust
judge (Luke 18:1-8) to give his disciples fresh hope and
confidence in God's unfailing care and favor towards us (grace).
In this present life we can expect trials and adversity, but we
are not without hope in God. The Day of the Last Judgment will
reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices
perpetrated by a fallen world of sinful people and that God's love
is stronger than death (Song of Songs 8:6). Those who put their
faith in God and entrust their lives to him can look forward with
hope and confident assurance. They will receive their reward - if
not fully in this present life then surely and completely in the
age to come in God's kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy
(Romans 14:17).
Jesus ends his parable with a probing question for us. Will you
and I have faith - the kind of faith that doesn't give up or lose
hope in God - but perseveres to the end of our lives - and to the
end of this present age when the Lord Jesus will return in glory
as Ruler and Judge of All? Faith is an entirely free gift that God
makes to us. We could not believe, trust, and persevere with hope
if God did not first draw us to himself and reveal to us his
merciful love and care. If we want to grow and persevere in faith
until the end of our days, then we must nourish our faith with the
word of God and ask the Lord to increase it (Luke 17:5). When
trials and setbacks disappoint you, where do you place your hope
and confidence? Do you pray with expectant faith and confident
hope in God's merciful care and provision for you?
Lord Jesus, increase my faith and make it strong that I may never doubt your word and promise to be with me always. In every situation I face - whether trials, setbacks, or loss - may I always find strength in your unfailing love and find joy and contentment in having you alone as the treasure of my heart.
Psalm 105:2-3,36-37,42-43
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works!
3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
36 He smote all the first-born in their land, the first issue of all their strength.
37 Then he led forth Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
43 So he led forth his people with joy, his chosen ones with singing.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Persistent prayer transforms iniquity and wickedness into mercy, by Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 AD)
"How was that unjust judge immoral and wicked? How was the
upright judge gracious and just? The first in his iniquity was not
willing to vindicate the widow, and in his wickedness, he was not
willing to put her mind at rest. The justice of God knows how to
vindicate, and his grace discerns how to give life. The iniquity
of this wicked judge was contrary to the justice of God, and the
wickedness of this rebel was in opposition to the grace of the
gentle One. His wickedness therefore was stubbornness, for it
dared to go against the fear of God. His boldness was stubborn,
for it refused the lowly person."
"These two were stubborn, but persistent prayer was even more
stubborn. The persistence of the widow humiliated both the
iniquity that was rebelling against God and the boldness that was
behaving arrogantly towards human beings. She subjected them to
her will, so that they might provide her with a vindication over
her adversary. Persistence transformed these two bitter branches,
and they bore sweet fruit that was against their nature. The
iniquity of the judge brought about a righteous judgment and a
just retribution for the falsely accused woman. His wickedness
gave peace to the afflicted one, although iniquity does not know
how to judge, and wickedness does not know how to give
refreshment. Persistence forced these two evil and bitter branches
to give good fruit against their nature. If we persist in prayer,
we should be even more able to prevail on the grace and justice of
God to give us fruit that agrees with their nature. Let justice
vindicate us, and let grace refresh us. Accordingly, the fruit of
justice is the just reward of the oppressed, while the giving of
refreshment to the afflicted is the fruit of grace." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON
16.16.6)
