We’ve all no doubt experienced strong-willed people. Another word used to describe this behavior is stubborn, but that carries with it a negative connotation. Strong-willed people stand their ground no matter what. They are not the type of people you want to find yourself in an argument with. They can make themselves overcome tremendous obstacles. They accomplish almost anything they set their mind to. Stubborn, I mean strong-willed, individuals make fierce opponents but they also make strong allies. My girls are strong willed. Sometimes, I think they are stubborn, but that’s usually when I find myself at odds with them. I am proud that they are so resolute. They both have a good sense of right and wrong. They both make good grades and neither are afraid to go after what they want. And when they set their sights on something, heaven help anyone who gets in their way.
In today’s gospel, we hear about a widow who persists in her pursuit of justice from an “unjust judge.” We are told that the judge didn’t care for God or people for that matter. The woman asks the judge to side with her against her adversaries. She doesn’t get what she wants initially. In fact, the judge refuses the woman for some time. The woman wouldn’t take no for an answer. She kept visiting the judge repeatedly making her request. He eventually gives in and grants her petition, not because she’s right but because he’s annoyed. He grew tired of her persistence. He didn’t give into her because he was moved by her plight. His actions were selfish. He wanted her to stop bothering him. He finally gave into her wishes because she wouldn’t give up and he was tired of dealing with her.
But what is the lesson for us to glean from this reading? Is it that God is like an “unjust judge?” Does God withhold justice from us until we reach a threshold of prayer that he can no longer tolerate? Is God then simply like a vending machine that ultimately submits to our relentless kicking, pushing and pulling until we get what we want? The answer I suspect that many of you already know is this is not how God works. If the focus then is not on God’s actions, then it must be the woman that can teach us. She is driven by her pursuit of justice. In spite of her opposition, she remains faithful in her actions. Whether her cause is just, we do not know. However, when we seek to do God’s will, our cause is just. Persistence in seeking God’s will eventually leads to finding God’s will.
We are told in the first sentence of today’s reading that the purpose of the parables was to reveal to the disciple’s their need to pray always and to not lose heart. Prayer can come in many forms including speaking, listening or action. To not lose heart is to remain faithful, loyal, or constant. This faithfulness is expected not only in our words but our actions, both individually and collectively. Our mission as the church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other. Taking a step in faith enables us as a community to engage the world around us and advance that work of restoration that God has given us to do. We can faithfully proceed with this work because God has freed us from the bondage of sin and death through the redeeming life of Jesus Christ. God’s grace is offered anew to us each day. Through faith and persistence, we are called to reflect this mercy and grace to those around us.
To follow Christ requires persistence:
Persistence in our prayer,
Persistence in our faith and in our actions,
Persistence in our pursuit of God’s will,
Persistence in asking ourselves the question “What is God calling me to do?”
We are not alone in this endeavor. God is there each step of the way to guide and sustain us on our journey. And for this reason, there is no adversary that can stand in our way! Amen.
