Prayer, Persistence, and Seeking Jusce

10-20-2019Weekly ReflectionRev. Victor C. Yakubu

The dishonest judge in today's gospel is a story told by Jesus to illustrate to us how persistence, of any kind, can pay off at the end. Although the dishonest judge neither feared God nor man, he was moved by pity to render justice to the widow. The words Jesus used in describing the two actors are perfect for understanding the situation. "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 widow feared that justice could be perverted against her. The hope she had was persisting until the judge was on her side.

If you have been in a desperate situation, you would understand the reason why the widow was unsettled. Imagine if you have a complicated legal tussle with someone who can buy justice, and have you thrown in jail. I guess you will have sleepless nights and feel that you will be incarcerated for long. As you contemplate all kinds of settlements to free yourself, you discover that only the judge, or in some, the jury, can set you free. It is left for you to use every opportunity to prove your innocence so as not to be found guilty. In your mind, the endgame is seeking justice in order to be free by insisting on your innocence.

This story teaches us how to persist in prayer. If the dishonest judge can render justice to the widow, how much more is our heavenly Father who is creator of all! God is just and in him is justice. There is no iota of doubt about his ability to render justice to all those who call upon him. The second reading says, "Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed because you know from whom you have learned it, and that from infancy you have known the Sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." To obtain justice from God know that He is always there for you. And then, as you recognize his presence, you need to know that you can approach him as his child.

In modern life, many people are falling away from the faith for personal reasons. However, we must remind them about the immeasurable power of God. The world as we know it was created by God. Listen to what the bible says about God and the Universe. In Hebrews 11:3 it says, "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what is visible." In Isaiah 45:12 it says, "I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, [even] my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded." These verses and many others assist us to reflect about the Father who created the world, and only he can render justice to us when we maintain faith with him.

Joshua fought and won the Amalekites because Moses was constantly in prayer. Moses stretched his hands while Joshua led the battle against the Amalekites. As Moses prayed to God, they kept mowing the enemy. But when the hands of Moses failed, the Israelites lost the battle. So, Aaron and Hur were recruited to hold the hands of Moses until sunset and the Israelites won the battle.

The lessons for us are many. While the widow knew what she wanted, the dishonest judge saw the need to change his wicked ways for justice sake. To be a winner, you must learn to persist in whatever you do. In relating with God, you need to approach him as a child seeking mercy, justice, and love. He won't despise you. In your spiritual battles, you must learn to persist in prayers until all your requests are answered by the Father, the Creator of the universe. Always remember this: "God's delays are not his denials."