In the Light of God’s Love

Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" From Luke 18:1-8

In this week’s Gospel lesson, there is an invitation from Jesus to not lose heart in our prayer, and the character featured in the parable is a widow with more tenacity than most. She is someone on the margins, but she’s not afraid to keep coming forward to this judge to make her appeal. The judge is hardly a character to emulate. He doesn’t respect God or people. So, what is this—a model for our own prayers?

I suspect it falls in the category of biblical logic that encourages us to think along these lines: if this widow could wear down a judge who is hardly prepared to listen, how much longer will our loving God hear our prayers? We can certainly emulate the tenacity of the widow and pray even when we fear our prayers won't have impact. When we trust that God is a much more receptive listener than a judge, this can be a real point of encouragement.

What is the purpose of our prayer? Disciplined practice is needed if we are to carry on and not lose heart. Sometimes we fall short and need the mercy of God to continue growing. The aim of our prayer practices and community life as Christians is not to give us a rulebook or a scorecard, but to change our very character.

We are meant to become formed in the character and posture of Jesus Christ. We know Jesus was faithful in his prayers and engaged with those in society who appeared contaminated or unworthy of notice. His character, his very essence, was one that gave him a deep affinity with the thieves, rogues, adulterers, and tax collectors. He knew himself to be God yet was able to have a posture of deep humility and self-giving love.

When we regularly put ourselves in the posture of prayer, we begin to be more like Jesus. As I said in the sermon last week, if we pray for our enemies, we will not see them in the same way over time. These are challenging times, and losing heart is a real temptation. If we look to this widow and her tenacity, maybe we can keep putting ourselves out in the world and continue seeking to be voices of love, mercy, and justice. 

Beginning together in community each week is one place we can take heart together, so we are reminded of who we are in the light of God’s love. If that judge could hear this widow, how much more ready is our loving God?

Peace, Beth +