Now he also told them a parable, that we should continually pray and not cease,
saying: “There was a certain judge in a certain city, who did not fear God and did not respect man.
But there was a certain widow in that city, and she went to him, saying, ‘Vindicate me from my adversary.’
And he refused to do so for a long time. But afterwards, he said within himself: ‘Even though I do not fear God, nor respect man,
yet because this widow is pestering me, I will vindicate her, lest by returning, she may, in the end, wear me out.’”
Then the Lord said: “Listen to what the unjust judge said.
So then, will not God grant the vindication of his elect, who cry out to him day and night? Or will he continue to endure them?
I tell you that he will quickly bring vindication to them. Yet truly, when the Son of man returns, do you think that he will find faith on earth?”
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Prayer on Fire Gospel Lesson
He tells a parable so they will always pray and not lose heart. A widow keeps coming to an unjust judge until he gives her justice, not because he fears God, but because she wears him out. Will not God give justice to his elect who cry to him? When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?
Where this sits
This follows the word on the day. The response to a delayed day is persistent prayer.
The widow
The judge is not the picture of God. He is the contrast. If a corrupt man yields to persistence, how much more the God who cares for his elect. The danger is not that God is slow. The danger is that the waiting wears out faith.
What to take
Pray and do not lose heart. The question at the end is the point. Will he find faith when he comes?
Original – Prayer on Fire
Gospel of the Day · Text: Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV) · Mass Lectionary · Gospel
