Fr Peter Helman

Dear friends,

In today’s Office Lectionary, we read a brief story from the Gospel of Luke traditionally called “The Parable of the Unjust Judge.” Jesus tells his disciples of a despondent widow who unremittingly pleads with a judge to grant her justice against her adversary. The judge, who lacks integrity and a genuine concern for the plight of the needy, refuses to help her, initially, but because of her persistent appeals eventually grants her request simply to avoid further annoyance. Jesus weighs the disposition of the judge and the persistent widow to make a broader point about the nature of God and the importance of persevering in prayer.

What the parable suggest, to me, is that the evidence of faithfulness and the path we take to faithfulness is prayer, constant involvement with God as we engage the world. I’m reminded of a Prayer Book collect:

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP pg. 234, Proper 22)

Jesus concludes the story by asking his disciples, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" The question implies that a faithful and persistent prayer life reflects a relationship with God grounded in trust. It reminds us to cultivate a habit of continuous communication with God, acknowledging our dependence on him and seeking his guidance and help in every aspect of our lives.

It may seem presumptuous to say, but maybe Christ himself invites us to be obstinate in prayer as we seek the loving-kindness of God, who in every moment promises to hear what we ask in Jesus’ name.

Peace to you,

—Fr Peter