REFLECTION FOR TODAY
November 13, 2021
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you; he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Lk. 18:6-8
God will act in response to persistent prayer. He will provide swift justice. But will he find faith on earth? Our gospel reading forms part of Jesus parable of the widow and the unjust judge. Jesus used the example of a dishonest judge to illustrate the importance persistent in prayer.
What courage, what steely resolve the widow in the parable had to go day and night to the judge and insist that he vindicate her! After all this judge cared little about this widow. She was so sure of the rightness of her cause and the depth of her need that she refused to give up. The judge felt the widow was bothering him and the only way to get rid of her was by giving her the justice she demanded.
Jesus wants us to have the kind of faith this widow had. The type that believes and persevere, even when everything seems stacked against you. God will always answer our prayers, seeing to it that “justice is done” speedily. But many people have prayed and prayed and prayed for some situation, prayed even for justice, and it appeared that God did not answer their prayer. Thus, some may question the promise of Jesus that persistent prayer will always be answered, and justice always be rendered.
If this is your experience, it is essential that you remind yourself of two things. First, Jesus’ words are true. When we persevere in prayer and trust in God, He hears us and answers. This is our Lord’s unwavering promise. But secondly, the “justice” that God delivers may often be different than the justice we expect.
It may be that we want someone to pay for a wrong they did to us, but after praying fervently, our expectation is not met by our Lord. For this reason, it is essential that we know that God answers every prayer we pray, but in accord with His perfect will and wisdom. Therefore, God’s view of justice at times may be very different than ours. At times, His justice is satisfied by His invitation to us to show mercy in abundance. True mercy always satisfies justice.
As Christians, if we persevere in prayer, with humility and a teachable heart, we will find that the waiting itself is a time of deep grace and blessing for us. God will use this important time to teach us and purify our desires. He will show us where we are praying according to his will, and he will refine us where we are not. In the end, no matter what the outcome of our prayer, we will find him more fully and this finding will satisfy our lives
Reflect, today, upon how completely you trust in God. Do you know, with certainty, that He will answer every prayer that you fervently pray with faith in accord with His divine will? Believing this is freeing and enables you to live more fully in union with Him. If there is some issue with which you struggle right now, even some apparent injustice, then entrust it to our Lord, day and night without ceasing, and know that His grace will guide you as He answers you in accord with His will.
Lord, Your will is perfect in all things, and You always bestow Your grace upon me when I pray without ceasing. Please give me a trusting Heart, dear Lord, so that I will never waver in my hope that You will always answer my prayers in accord with Your will. Jesus, I trust in You.