MARAN’ATHAH
“When men are most sure, and arrogant, they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities” Word of wisdom by the Scottish philosopher, historian and economist, David Hume (1711 – 1776)
The ‘truth’ of these words hold good for all times. Even for that judge quoted by Christ in His Parable. This is what he unashamedly, and irresponsably declared: “I neither fear God nor care about people” (v. 4). Jesus’ description of this man is quite realistic. One would think that it refers to some cases of blatant injustice he has heard of, or witnessed.
But we still experience such arrogance in our day and age. If the words themselves are not specifically declared, but, the behaviour, the way of living, the policies adopted (… by governments, throughout the world), is proof enough that ‘man’ has not changed for the better. Total power breeds arrogance and corruption.
Well, how should the followers of Christ behave in such situations? THIS, is a billion-dollar question! And THIS, was the aim of Christ’s Parable in next Sunday’s Gospel. HE, Himself answered this question, knowing that His followers will find themselves in such situations. No one else, can give the correct answer, only Christ Himself. HE encouraged us to TRUST and PRAY. The ‘widow’ is a symbol of the defenceless person, exposed to abuse, a victim of exactions who cannot appeal to anyone except to the Lord. The ‘widow’ represents us ‘all’, who feel cheated, persecuted, offended.
It is worth noting that when Luke’s version of the Gospel was written, circa 80 AD, the Christians were undergoing a very violent persecution. Emperor Domitian ordered that all should adore him as a god. The Christians did not obey. They could not—as the book of Revelation says (Rev 13)—bow before the “beast” (the Domitian divo) and for this, they suffered harassment and discrimination. So the widow is a symbol of the Christians in the days of persecution, at all times.
Prayer is the greatest means in order not to lose our head in the most difficult and dramatic moments, when everything seems to conspire against us and the Kingdom of God, when there seems to be no way out. True prayer, that which must never be interrupted, maintains us in constant dialogue with the Lord. Dialogue with Him makes us evaluate reality, events, and people with His criteria of judgment. We examine with him our thoughts, sentiments, reactions and plans.
We should never interrupt our ‘rapport’ with God. Recall what happened to Moses when he got tired and put down his arms. We should never tire … but be persistent and consistent, that is just what the widow has done.
Going back to the Bible, our true and sure source, we find written: “God works in His own good time.” “And will not God give justice to his chosen ones who day and night cry out to him.” This is followed by a peremptory affirmation, “Yes, I tell you, He will bring justice to them soon; even if he makes them wait for long.” Let us not get discouraged, let us trust our Father. The widow did not get discouraged. Do you recall St. Monica who had to wait for thirty long years to have her prayers answered for the conversion of her son Augustine?
You get nothing by despairing, or by giving up. The Lord warns us about the danger of discouragement and resignation that the Spouse is not coming to render justice. HE will surely come for He has promised. BUT, will He be welcomed by His chosen ones … due to loss of Faith?
“When men are most sure, and arrogant, they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities” Word of wisdom by the Scottish philosopher, historian and economist, David Hume (1711 – 1776)
The ‘truth’ of these words hold good for all times. Even for that judge quoted by Christ in His Parable. This is what he unashamedly, and irresponsably declared: “I neither fear God nor care about people” (v. 4). Jesus’ description of this man is quite realistic. One would think that it refers to some cases of blatant injustice he has heard of, or witnessed.
But we still experience such arrogance in our day and age. If the words themselves are not specifically declared, but, the behaviour, the way of living, the policies adopted (… by governments, throughout the world), is proof enough that ‘man’ has not changed for the better. Total power breeds arrogance and corruption.
Well, how should the followers of Christ behave in such situations? THIS, is a billion-dollar question! And THIS, was the aim of Christ’s Parable in next Sunday’s Gospel. HE, Himself answered this question, knowing that His followers will find themselves in such situations. No one else, can give the correct answer, only Christ Himself. HE encouraged us to TRUST and PRAY. The ‘widow’ is a symbol of the defenceless person, exposed to abuse, a victim of exactions who cannot appeal to anyone except to the Lord. The ‘widow’ represents us ‘all’, who feel cheated, persecuted, offended.
It is worth noting that when Luke’s version of the Gospel was written, circa 80 AD, the Christians were undergoing a very violent persecution. Emperor Domitian ordered that all should adore him as a god. The Christians did not obey. They could not—as the book of Revelation says (Rev 13)—bow before the “beast” (the Domitian divo) and for this, they suffered harassment and discrimination. So the widow is a symbol of the Christians in the days of persecution, at all times.
Prayer is the greatest means in order not to lose our head in the most difficult and dramatic moments, when everything seems to conspire against us and the Kingdom of God, when there seems to be no way out. True prayer, that which must never be interrupted, maintains us in constant dialogue with the Lord. Dialogue with Him makes us evaluate reality, events, and people with His criteria of judgment. We examine with him our thoughts, sentiments, reactions and plans.
We should never interrupt our ‘rapport’ with God. Recall what happened to Moses when he got tired and put down his arms. We should never tire … but be persistent and consistent, that is just what the widow has done.
Going back to the Bible, our true and sure source, we find written: “God works in His own good time.” “And will not God give justice to his chosen ones who day and night cry out to him.” This is followed by a peremptory affirmation, “Yes, I tell you, He will bring justice to them soon; even if he makes them wait for long.” Let us not get discouraged, let us trust our Father. The widow did not get discouraged. Do you recall St. Monica who had to wait for thirty long years to have her prayers answered for the conversion of her son Augustine?
You get nothing by despairing, or by giving up. The Lord warns us about the danger of discouragement and resignation that the Spouse is not coming to render justice. HE will surely come for He has promised. BUT, will He be welcomed by His chosen ones … due to loss of Faith?
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