Readings: Wis 18: 14-16, 19: 6-9; Lk 18:1-8
Through this parable of the widow and the unjust judge, Jesus wants to tell his disciples about the importance of persistence and unwavering faith in prayer. The story is about a widow who was deprived of her rights by an unjust judge. Despite being repeatedly denied justice, she never gave up and continued to plead for justice.
On 12 May 2021, in the San Damaso Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis said that persistent prayer can lead to miracles, because prayer goes directly to the heart of the tenderness of God. Jesus did not mean that we should always spend time in prayer, but we must always be in touch with God through prayer. “Pray without ceasing,” St. Paul said in his first letter to the Thessalonians. Often, we become discouraged and then stop praying when our prayers are not answered. When we experience trials and adversity, we lose heart.
If an earthly unjust judge finally grants justice to the widow, how much more will a God who is just, loving and caring not attend to the cries of those who turn to him day and night? The Book of Wisdom tells us that God is always with us. He transforms and protects us so that his divine will be fulfilled for the well- being of his people.
Therefore, Jesus encourages his followers not to lose heart when they pray but to have faith in God and continue to bring their petition before God. God has his own time and his own way to fulfil his plan for each one of us which is good for our well-being. Therefore, we should have confidence that our persistence in prayer is not going in vain.