Today’s Scripture Readings

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.”’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’

Today’s parable is a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance in prayer and trust in God’s justice. Jesus tells this story to encourage His followers ‘pray always and not to lose heart.’ In the parable, a widow – one of the most vulnerable members of society – continually pleads for justice from a corrupt judge who neither fears God nor respects people. Her persistence eventually moves the judge to act, not out of compassion, but to avoid being worn down by her pleas.

Jesus uses this unlikely scenario to make a striking point: if even an unjust judge responds to persistence, how much more will our just and loving God respond to His people when they cry out to Him day and night? This comparison doesn’t portray God as reluctant but highlights His willingness to act on behalf of those who seek Him with faith and endurance.

If this seems far-fetched, remember that on Thursday 9th November 1989 the Berlin Wall, a seemingly impenetrable barrier between East and West Germany constructed in 1961 was torn down by the persistence of the German Peaceful Revolution. It marked the beginning of the destruction of the figurative Iron Curtain; a social and political feature many thought would never end.

This parable challenges us to examine our prayer lives. Do we pray persistently, or do we give up when answers don’t come quickly? It also prompts us to reflect on our faith in God’s justice. In a world that often seems indifferent to suffering, Jesus reassures us that God sees, hears, and will act – though not always on our timetable.

Lord, help me to pray persistently and work for your justice.