Sunday of the Judge

Last Sunday we passed the half-way point of our spiritual journey through Lent (Meecheenk Medz Bahkee). Today, we remember Jesus’ parable of the Unrighteous Judge (Tadavoree Geeragee), found in Luke 18. 

The judge was a godless man with great contempt for everyone.  A widow, the most vulnerable in society, came to him every day and beseeched him for justice against someone who had harmed her. The judge ignored her, but finally, fed up of her constant requests, he took on her case in hopes of getting rid of her. Jesus told this story to show his disciples they must never give up and must persist in prayer.

Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this evil judge.  Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night?  Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly!  But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?” Luke 18:6-8

If a godless judge responds to constant pressure, how much more will a great and loving God respond to us. If we know He loves us, we can believe He will hear our cries for help. As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith and hope.  Do not forget God is always listening to us, is always with us, wanting the best for us. Prayer is our tie with God. It is our time to approach Him with a clean heart and without fear, for a deep talk. 

Our Creator knows our needs, and we must have faith that He will answer them at the proper time. This is the question for us: do we trust God, even in our suffering, and believe His promise of justice for the oppressed? Do we pray and continue to pray, even when His answer does not come at the moment we would like?  

Prayer gives us the power to touch other lives so they feel God’s love and the power to perform God’s will on earth. For God to do his work in this world, he needs us to be his mouth, his arms and his legs. Christ’s body is the church, and we are the church. Together, we can accomplish all kinds of good works. Remember that love must be at the centre of your Lenten journey. Work to achieve love and harmony with your friends and family.