Gospel
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’
And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’
(Luke 18:1–8)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- According to the law in ancient Israel, justice was meant to be available to all who sought it, not just to the rich or powerful. Judges were appointed and sat ‘at the city gate’, making themselves available to anyone who needed a judgment. The prophets often criticised the corruption that was sometimes associated with this office, as judgment would often go in favour of those who could pay a bribe!
- Jewish law made a special provision for the care of widows and orphans, who did not have a male advocate to speak for them.
- The Gospel of Luke was written at a time when believers were suffering for their faith. They also may have wondered if God heard their prayers.
Exploring the Word
It is unusual for an evangelist to be so explicit about the meaning of a parable; however, in this text, Luke states that this parable is ‘about the need to pray continually and never lose heart’. Those who listened to Jesus recount the story in this text were likely familiar with judges, who were a law unto themselves and who did not dispense justice according to the demands of God and the Jewish law. Yet even these people will be persuaded to act in the face of persistence. As is typical in the Gospel of Luke, it is not the rich and powerful who prevail, but rather the poor and the weak—in this case, a widow. How much more, then, will God act? He is not like the wicked judge; he will hear the persistent cries of people, especially those of the poor, and not delay in answering. The real test of our faith is to accept that God may answer our prayers in ways we do not expect or even desire. Prayer does not equate to making demands of God. Instead, it involves an openness to God’s presence in our lives and a willingness to accept whatever he demands of us.
- Are you persistent about any specific aspects or areas in your life?
- What does this persistence reveal about what you consider important?
- Is prayer important to you? How do you pray?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- How do you understand the ‘need to pray continually and never lose heart’?
- What cries do you think God hears every day and night in the present day?
- What would our world look like if justice prevailed?
- Discuss the terms ‘fear of God’ and ‘respect for people’. What do think they mean in the present day? Discuss some examples in which ‘fear of God’ and ‘respect for people’ are lacking in our lives and world. How are you being called to respond?
- Spend some time contemplating what ‘fear of God’ and ‘respect for people’ mean today. This week, practice these two actions in as many ways as you can.
- Use the response from today’s psalm as your prayer this week:
Our help is from the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
Sharing the tradition
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
‘I must give this widow her just rights.’ The quest for human rights has long been a cornerstone of the Church’s social teaching. ‘The Church sees in these rights the extraordinary opportunity that our modern times offer, through the affirmation of these rights, for more effectively recognizing human dignity and universally promoting it as a characteristic inscribed by God the Creator in his creature’ (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, §152). For the Church, human rights are firmly anchored in the innate dignity of each person, who is created in the image and likeness of God. Because of this foundation, rights come with responsibilities—and human rights must be defended.
- Use paragraphs 155, 156 and 157 of the compendium as a source from which to discuss human rights and responsibilities. Paragraph 155 lists several rights as specified by Pope John Paul II in Centesimus Annus (published to mark the 100th anniversary of the first social encyclical of the modern Church). You could explore these rights and identify examples of such rights being violated in our world today.
- You could also explore the human responsibilities and duties that correspond to those rights. How are these duties being performed? What is our personal responsibility?
Symbols and images
The widow’s persistence is the heart of this gospel text. Despite her lack of status, she persistently raises her voice to plead for what she needs—and her need is finally met. In the same way, God will also hear the cries of those who call on him. However, God may sometimes not answer our prayers in the way we want!
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- How does your community recognise and promote the rights and duties of all members? Are your community members familiar with the social teaching of the Church? Does your community provide a forum through which to explore these teachings? Is there a social justice group to which catechumens could be invited?
- Use the open Scriptures as a focus for your prayer. Pray for all people who suffer injustice and the loss of human dignity. Pray for each other, for strength on your journeys. A suitable song could be The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor (GA 36). Conclude with the prayer of blessing in the RCIA at §97I.