November 18, 2017

Gospel: Lk 18:1-8
Jesus told them a parable, to show them that they should pray continually, and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain town there was a judge, who neither feared God nor people. In the same town there was a widow, who kept coming to him, saying, ‘Defend my rights against my adversary!‘ For a time he refused, but finally he thought, ‘Even though I neither fear God nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much, I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out.“
And Jesus said, “Listen to what the evil judge says. Will God not do justice for his chosen ones, who cry to him day and night, even if he delays in answering them? I tell you, he will speedily do them justice. But, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?“

REFLECTION:
The first reading shows the Lord‘s mighty power as He delivers Israel from the Egyptian‘s slavery. “A safe passage was opened through the Red Sea, the tempestuous flood became a green plain where the whole nation of those protected by your hand passed across, witnessing your astounding deeds.“
Lk.18:1-8
The judge in today‘s gospel is described as “neither fearing God nor people“ and as “evil judge.“ Yet evil and bad as he is, he did listen to the widow‘s request and rendered decision favoring her. The corrupt judge did goodness. Truly, in the depth of one‘s being, resides the goodness God has sown. It is not totally blotted out by sin. God‘s image and likeness are not permanently erased by sin. Goodness has power over evil. It naturally comes out of a man.
The perseverance and courage of the widow reminds of what St. James wrote: “ Happy is the person who remains faithful under trials, because when he succeeds in passing such a test, he will receive as his reward the life which God has promised to those who love him“ (Jas. 1:12).