29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)

1st Reading             Exodus 17:8-13

Psalm                       121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (R. 2)

R:// "Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth"

2nd Reading             2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

Gospel                        Luke 18:1-8

YOUR FAITH SHOULD REFUSE TO GIVE UP

Friends, Peace and Goodness! Today, the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) is also the 3rd Sunday of October. Recalling October, we should remember to join the Universal Church in seeking Mary's intercession through the praying of the Holy Rosary. For this Sunday also, I suggest we limit ourselves to the Gospel passage, Luke 18:1-8.

The Gospel passage for today is semi-continuation from last Sunday's Gospel. The series of Luke's Gospel only skipped vv. 20-37. Today, Jesus tells his disciples a parable about a woman and a judge, a parable often called the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge. Jesus tells them that parable to tell them about the necessity for the disciples to pray always and not lose heart (Lk. 18:1). Why is Jesus telling them this all of a sudden? 

Remember that Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem. He is in his final days. Towards the end of every journey is the temptation to give up. Again, talking about journeying, they are walking. It is possible to feel tired. Plausibly, dwelling on the physical tiredness that emanates from a long journey, Jesus schooled the disciples about why they should not lose heart or grow weary. The Greek word translated as "not lose heart" is "ἐγκακεῖν" (enkakein), and it means "not giving up due to challenges or contraints". This text is very relevant for a community or a person awaiting redemption, yet it delays or Luke's community waiting for the return of Christ, which seems to be delayed. The author weaves in this narrative to inform us that a little perseverance leads us to the goal. Do not relax. 

The question to consider in the parable is whether there are challenges to the achievement of a goal. The two main characters are the Judge and the Widow. In the person of the judge lies the challenges. Two things are told us about him. The first is that he is a JUDGE. This readily tells us that the person the widow is dealing with is one who is of a high social standing. His duty is to administer justice. She has gone to the right human authority for help. The problem is that for a person of a low social standing to get access to a powerful man is itself a hurdle to overcome. This is the first challenge, and it is a challenge of social class. The very fact of getting to him is a sign of persistence. 

The second thing we are told about the judge is that he "neither feared God nor regarded [or respected] man" (Lk. 18:2). This comes as a shock. This man is not akin to a legal practitioner we know in every sense of his duty as a judge. A judge is a lawyer. The Lawyers dwell on God's Law, for which they feared God. In the life of this judge, his study and knowledge of the Law do not lead him to faith. He also does not respect human beings. The crux of this is that this man does things according to his pace and desire. The problem is that it is very difficult to convince a person of this nature. Influencing the will and desire of a person of this kind is another challenge. In fact, the reality that he neither feared God nor respected any human being is itself an expression for an unrighteous person, a godless and shameless person. This person has a complete has a disregard for religious and social obligations. 

I think that the woman in perspective also has a few challenges. The first is that she is a WIDOW. This woman's husband has died. Widows were considered, in Jewish society at the time, part of the vulnerable. She knows about this. Husbands were legal representatives. She does not have a husband, and it will be very difficult for her to seek legal aid. Her vulnerability was also a challenge. She went beyond this and came to that judge. Added to that is the fact that she came to the judge herself. She has no male figure to speak for her. Her vulnerability compounds. 

Against all these hurdles and challenges pointing to the fact that she was disadvantaged and could easily give up, her persistence changed the whole narrative. This is shown in the fact that "she kept coming to him [the judge]" (Lk. 18: 3). This suggests that she did so continuously. She could have given up because the man is of a social class higher than her, and approaching him will be impossible, if not difficult. She could also have given up knowing that the man does not listen except to himself and acts according to his pace. This is an evil man who, although he knows the law of God, especially concerning treatment of the vulnerable (Exodus 22: 22-24), does not fear God or respect man. She even went beyond her own social vulnerability. 

In the end, her persistence, the fact that she used to come to the judge, and bothers him granted her what she desired. This persistence moved the unjust judge. She was able to influence the unjust judge's will. The unjust judge feared one thing: "she will wear me out by her continual coming" (Lk. 18: 5). The Greek word translated as "Wear me out" is "HUPOPIAZĒ ME". This is interesting because this "HUPOPIAZĒ" is often used for a boxer giving an uppercut or a hand blow, thus to hit someone so as to cause bruises. The man granted her wish because of her continual coming. Otherwise, he would be wounded by the widow who is desperately in need. 

Friends, sometimes, we feel disadvantaged because of social class and being less in power. However, our persistence in prayer keeps us going. There is no particular time to be persistent. The author says, "... his elect who cry to him DAY and NIGHT" (Lk. 18:7). DAY and NIGHT are indicators of time. The implication is that you. Eed to be persistent always. Despite the challenges to achieving a desired aim, continue to aim. The challenges will give way. If a man so evil can be moved to act, then know that God, who is perfectly rightous, will respond to you.

Pax et Bonum