Luke 18:1-8
The parable Jesus tells today reminded me of the mantra, “Never give up!” I googled it and found references to Tom Hanks in Castaways, “Never give up because you never know what the tide will bring in.” Will Smith in Pursuit of Happiness encourages his son to not give up on his dreams. Winston Churchill famously spoke to his alma mater, Harrow, during WW!! on Oct. 29, 1941 and gave a speech, “Never give in, never, never, never! Sia from Lion soundtrack sings a song popular now, “Never give up!” All place the ability to never give up within our will power. What drives us?
Jesus tells the story of a political, secular unjust judge who is being harassed by a woman seeking justice. She does not give up. The judge agrees to hear her case just to silence her pestering. Jesus asks, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you he will not…” The kingdom of heaven and true justice is something we plead with God for because we know God is just and wants to hear the pleads of his people. We are not to loose heart and assume he does not hear and that he does not care. His court is always open.
So what is the prayer you have been carrying to God for ohhh so long? Perhaps it is for a wayward child or grandchild. Perhaps it is for a spouse or a job. Perhaps we all need to be on our knees for Ukraine. Let us not be fatalistic and sing, “Que, Sera Sera.” (Whatever will be will be.)
May we be persistent like the woman and know that the judge we present our prayer to is listening and fair. Let us never give up. Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 