Jesus urges men to fight for justice in the face of injustice in the Parable of the Widow and the Unrighteous Judge. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by building the Virtue of Faith so he can receive the astounding rewards of seeking justice and by pursuing the Virtue of Orderliness so he can do his best to prepare for the inevitable crises of life.
Liturgy
32nd Week in Ordinary time – Saturday – Lk 18:1-8
Commentary
After Jesus warns the disciples of the widespread sinfulness and perversion in the world prior to God’s vengeful acts of destruction in the past (the Flood caused by rampant sinfulness and evil, the destruction of Sodom for widespread homosexual acts), He warns of the coming apocalyptic trials before He returns in the Second Coming as the Son of Man. To fortify His men with hope for the coming trials, Jesus gives them confidence with The Parable of the Widow and the Unrighteous Judge, confirming that God will give justice to righteous men who relentlessly persist in prayer.
Jesus uses classic logic in the arguments He builds into The Parable of the Widow and the Unrighteous Judge; an a fortiori argument (Latin meaning, “from the stronger”), first gains agreement for a proposition, and then uses the agreement to assert an even stronger proposition which is even more compelling.
In the parable, a poor widow persistently petitions a corrupt judge, who finally grants the widow’s petition, vindicating her, not because it is the just and right thing to do, but because the corrupt judge is simply tired of being bothered. Jesus uses this parable to make a strong case (a fortiori) by revealing that men who cry out to God for His justice (like the poor widow) will be vindicated (the widow is granted her petition) for God is the perfection of love, mercy, truth and justice (as opposed to the corrupt judge), and God will answer the persistent prayers of those men who have faith in Him. Returning to the apocalyptic trauma and prophecies of His return, Jesus promises God, will “vindicate His elect”, but then asks the searing question: “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Be encouraged by Jesus’ confirmation that God answers prayers: Person of the Trinity, Jesus has first-hand experience of how God the Father hears and answers prayers; the perfection of Perseverance (a part of Fortitude), Jesus instructs men to relentlessly persevere in prayer; the perfection of Justice, Jesus confirms those who are righteous will be Vindicated (a part of Justice by which men are rewarded and punished based on their thoughts and actions).
Be vindicated by your soul-deep faith
Realize: Recalling His beautiful promise of the Beatitude, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Mt 5:6), Jesus reaffirms His promise that “the elect” will be vindicated (“satisfied”).
Believe: Reflect upon The Elect (CCC 1025, 1031, 1045, 1344, 1994).
Pray: Almighty Father, help me build the Virtue of Faith so that “when the Son of Man comes…”, Your Son will find I have a vibrant soul-deep faith and He will vindicate my faith by receiving me into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Pray always to prepare for inevitable crises
Realize: Just as the persistent widow had access to the corrupt judge, a man needs access to God when the inevitable crises of life come (illness, betrayal, loss, death,) and he desperately needs God’s help; every Catholic man should build a deep prayer life so he can immediately and effectively ask for God’s help in small and large crises.
Believe: Reflect upon the need to Persevere in Prayer (CCC 2098, 2573, 2613, 2742-2754).
Pray: Jesus, help me build the Virtue of Orderliness (a part of Temperance) so I recognize the need to be near You, I organize my life around an orderly routine of daily prayer, and I persevere in prayer, even when all is well, so I am well prepared for the inevitable crises in my life.