29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lk 18:1-8
October 16, 2022

Recently, a candidate for a local judgeship rang my doorbell. We had a very brief and pleasant conversation. The purpose of the visit was the candidate’s desire that I have a “face to connect to the name on the ballot.”

As I watched the candidate sprint down the street to the next house, it occurred to me that I had learned very little about the qualifications of this person who is hoping to sit in judgment of others. Though it was too late to ask, I thought of a number of questions which I could have…actually SHOULD HAVE asked. Having read, reflected on, and prayed over today’s Gospel passage, the question at the top of my list has become: Would fear ever influence or motivate a decision or ruling you would be called upon to render?

How disappointing to think that a judge might be motivated by anything other than justice and righteousness! Fear and anxiety being especially offensive in the dispatch of judicial duties.

Fear and anxiety…in my humble opinion…are not indicators of God’s grace at work. Fear and anxiety suggest an absence of the PEACE OF CHRIST! Fear and anxiety demonstrate an urgent need for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Still, the stark realization that, one day, each of us will stand before our Creator, Who will weigh the merits of our cause with perfect justice…leaves us vulnerable to a major attack of fear and anxiety…or SHOULD!

And so, we turn to the other character in this Sunday’s parable…the persistent widow.

We have reason to believe that she was a virtuous person. We know that she was twice victimized…first by someone against whom she filed litigation, and then by the corrupt judge, who, for whatever reason, failed to give her the relief she was entitled to.

Clearly, she felt neither fear nor anxiety in challenging the party she made claim against, or in demanding a favorable ruling from the corrupt judge. In fact, she used her PERSISTENCE to win her rightful judgment.

The lesson revolves around her absolute refusal to go away quietly…or settle for less than her entitlement. Jesus makes it clear that this is the proper approach to prayer…PERSISTENCE! But I wonder if the parable doesn’t hint, as well, at an effective approach to salvation?

Consider how fear and anxiety motivated the judge to behave in the manner he should have in the first place. His “conversion” resulted from what he perceived to be a threat brought about by the widow’s absolute refusal to give up on her claim. Isn’t that a bit like the persistence of God Who refuses to give up on even the most hardened sinner? Doesn’t God continue to hound us…even using the threat of the loss of eternal life to motivate conversions? God does not give up on His claim to us!

As for those who are not as contemptible as the judge…those who try to live a good life, but even still, appreciate the consequences of the inevitable poor choice or bad decision…and so are afflicted with fear and anxiety…what is the take-away from this parable for the “average disciple” when overwhelmed at the prospect of standing before the Just Judge at the end of our earthly lives?

Isn’t Jesus encouraging us to pray with the persistence of the widow for the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we might live a life of grace…in the Peace of Christ?

Recently, a candidate for a local judgeship rang my doorbell. We had a very brief and pleasant conversation. The purpose of the visit was the candidate’s desire that I have a “face to connect to the name on the ballot.”

As I watched the candidate sprint down the street to the next house, it occurred to me that I had learned very little about the qualifications of this person who is hoping to sit in judgment of others. Though it was too late to ask, I thought of a number of questions which I could have…actually SHOULD HAVE asked. Having read, reflected on, and prayed over today’s Gospel passage, the question at the top of my list has become: Would fear ever influence or motivate a decision or ruling you would be called upon to render?

How disappointing to think that a judge might be motivated by anything other than justice and righteousness! Fear and anxiety being especially offensive in the dispatch of judicial duties.

Fear and anxiety…in my humble opinion…are not indicators of God’s grace at work. Fear and anxiety suggest an absence of the PEACE OF CHRIST! Fear and anxiety demonstrate an urgent need for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Still, the stark realization that, one day, each of us will stand before our Creator, Who will weigh the merits of our cause with perfect justice…leaves us vulnerable to a major attack of fear and anxiety…or SHOULD!

And so, we turn to the other character in this Sunday’s parable…the persistent widow.

We have reason to believe that she was a virtuous person. We know that she was twice victimized…first by someone against whom she filed litigation, and then by the corrupt judge, who, for whatever reason, failed to give her the relief she was entitled to.

Clearly, she felt neither fear nor anxiety in challenging the party she made claim against, or in demanding a favorable ruling from the corrupt judge. In fact, she used her PERSISTENCE to win her rightful judgment.

The lesson revolves around her absolute refusal to go away quietly…or settle for less than her entitlement. Jesus makes it clear that this is the proper approach to prayer…PERSISTENCE! But I wonder if the parable doesn’t hint, as well, at an effective approach to salvation?

Consider how fear and anxiety motivated the judge to behave in the manner he should have in the first place. His “conversion” resulted from what he perceived to be a threat brought about by the widow’s absolute refusal to give up on her claim. Isn’t that a bit like the persistence of God Who refuses to give up on even the most hardened sinner? Doesn’t God continue to hound us…even using the threat of the loss of eternal life to motivate conversions? God does not give up on His claim to us!

As for those who are not as contemptible as the judge…those who try to live a good life, but even still, appreciate the consequences of the inevitable poor choice or bad decision…and so are afflicted with fear and anxiety…what is the take-away from this parable for the “average disciple” when overwhelmed at the prospect of standing before the Just Judge at the end of our earthly lives?

Isn’t Jesus encouraging us to pray with the persistence of the widow for the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we might live a life of grace…in the Peace of Christ?

It would seem that St. Francis de Sales thought so. He left us with a beautiful prayer to turn to in times of anxiety or fear. Try it…you’ll like it!  

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.