Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.
Luke 18:1–8
There are a couple of things going on in this parable. The widow who demands justice from the unjust judge finally gets what she has sought—even though the judge responds only for his own benefit (he does not want to suffer physically or socially). The widow demands justice—not money, not publicity, but justice. She is ultimately rewarded for wanting/seeking/demanding the right thing. And if the widow can get justice from such a selfish judge, shouldn’t the righteous, whose demands take the form of prayer, expect the same from a just God? Yes, we will be heard and yes, we will be given the justice we demand—as long as we continue to pray and believe. And even when this is revealed, Jesus wonders if the Son of Man will find evidence of that faith when he comes. The absolute necessity of belief, as manifested through prayer, is Jesus’ concern in this parable; but endurance is also required of the faithful, just as it was of the widow.
That emphasis, not just as belief, but on action (belief made manifest) is the basis for life in our community. We must believe in justice and we must act for justice, whether or not it is immediately forthcoming. We must endure in our belief and our desire for justice. Just as the widow was rewarded for her perseverance, those who believe and, by prayer, make their beliefs manifest will also be rewarded.
Janice Buchan
