Ordinary Time - Week 29c
Parable of the unjust judge
(From Conversation with God, Fernandez Carvajal)The texts of today's liturgy focus our attention on the power of trusting and persevering prayer to reach the mind of God. In the Gospel passage St Luke prefaces the parable with an explanation of Christ's intent: "Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart." In the supernatural life there are actions which are performed once and for all, such as Baptism. Other actions are repeated many, many times, such as pardoning, understanding, smiling cheerfully. There are other actions and attitudes which we should practice continually. Among these we find the spirit of prayer, which is the manifestation of a living faith in our Father God. St Augustine commented on this Gospel passage by emphasising the close connexion between faith and trusting prayer: "If one's faith weakens, prayer withers. Faith is the fountain of prayer. A river cannot flow if its source is dried up." Our prayer needs to be continuous and confident like the prayer of Jesus, our model. God is always listening to our prayers.
The First Reading from the book of Exodus presents us with the scene of the Chosen People in battle with the Amalekites. Moses decides to pray to God on a hilltop while Joshua and his forces take on the enemy assault. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when he let his arms fall, the advantage went to Amalek. To keep Moses praying, Aaron and Hur supported his arms, one on each side. They were thus able to keep Moses praying until sunset. With the edge of the sword Joshua cut down Amalek.
We cannot grow weary of praying. If we should ever become tired of praying, let us ask our friends to shore us up. The Lord sends us many graces in times of trial. These graces are more necessary and more important than the gifts we ask for. The Lord wants to grant us his graces, but He also wants us to ask for them. One day he said to his disciples: You have asked nothing in my name; ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full. It was as if he were saying: Do not complain to me if you are not filled with blessings. Complain to yourselves for not having sought from me what you need. From now on, ask of me and your prayers will be answered. St Bernard has commented that many people complain like this, saying that the Lord has forsaken them. But Jesus himself laments that these same complainers have not really asked for his assistance. Let us resolve to pray as Moses did: with perseverance that nothing could shake, and at times with the help of his friends as was necessary. A great deal depends on our devotion.
The Lord sets in contrast to the unjust judge the figure of the widow, the ancient symbol for the defenceless person. More specifically, the tireless perseverance of the widow is juxtaposed to the firm resistance of the unjust judge. The unexpected conclusion to the parable is the result of the ceaseless petitions of the poor widow. After many refusals to hear her case, the judge finally relents. And so, the weaker party has triumphed. The reason for her victory lies not in any conversion on the judge's part. The widow has simply worn down the defences of the judge to the point of his capitulation by not giving up. The Lord concludes the parable with this query: Now, will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? Jesus wants us to see the main message of the parable: God, who is full of mercy, awaits our steadfast prayer.