Dedication of Churches of Saints Peter and Paul
Will He Find Any Faith on Earth?
At the end of today's parable of the unjust judge and the poor widow, Jesus asks this probing question, "If the Son of Man comes back, Will he find any faith on earth? Taken on an individual level, if the Son of Man comes back now, will he find you and me with faith, the kind of faith that doesn't give up or lose hope in God but perseveres to the end of our lives - and to the end of this present age when the Lord Jesus will return in glory as Ruler and Judge of All? Jesus is still preparing us for the last judgement day, a day which will come at a time we don't know and slowly reveals to us what he expects of us when he comes back, that is, if we long for eternal life with him.
From today's parable, one of the fundamental virtues he wants to find in us is persevering faith in and persevering prayer. Jesus invites us to persevere in our prayers even keeping on pestering God, not only to give us what we need but also to always increase our Faith so that the Son of Man Will find us in full faith in God. Faith surely is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. We could not believe, trust, and persevere with hope if God did not first draw us to himself and reveal to us his merciful love and care. But, if we want to grow and persevere in faith until the end of our days, then we must nourish our faith with the word of God, sacraments, persevering prayer and ask the Lord to increase it (Luke 17:5). We have to persevere because we don't know when the Son of Man is coming, and those who will persevere up to the end will surely be saved. Don't give up.
As usual, to pass on his teaching, Jesus uses the parable of the unjust judge and the poor widow. Though the unjust judge didn't want to give justice to the poor widow, the poor widow's perseverance made him give her justice. How much will God, the most just, give to us, with justice what we ask him and protect us from all injustices? What we need is perseverance knowing that God's time is the best because most times we may become impatient. With impatience we lose the rewards from God.
Many times, we often think of prayer as mere asking, but today's parable encourages us to pester God as the wronged widow pestered the Unjust Judge. People, including Christians, easily give up when their prayers are not given immediate response by God. Some people become bitter, some fainthearted, some even blaspheme and deny God outright. The widow offers an example of insistence and persistence in prayer. In telling this parable Jesus enjoins on us the responsibility of persistently coming to God out of our faith and trust in him. It is not only when we are faced with difficulties and problems that we approach God, but even when things go well.
Many of us would ask, with all the pestering I have done to God why is he still silent? Many reasons would be there for his silence. For instance, through persistence, God gives us an opportunity to grow. When we must wait on the Lord, we have an opportunity to grow in a variety of ways. We can grow in patience, learning that God’s timing is not ours. We can grow in humility, realising that God is in charge and that we are not. We can grow in our desire for that for which we ask. Additionally, we can grow in our confidence in God, realising that whether we receive the requested favour or not, God knows best and only desires our good. Consequently, we are more at peace and willing to face all things, confident in his providential care.
Secondly God wants to keep us near him, he does not want to lose any of us until his only Son comes back. Perhaps the most important lesson we learn by waiting on God’s response to our prayer is to desire God above all things. Someone fully satisfied and content feels no need for help or change—no need for God and thus will leave God aside. However, when we come face-to-face with a real need and acknowledge our insufficiency, we turn to God. We sometimes complain, “Why me?” Then we muster all the faith we have and ask, “Please Lord, give this to me.” Gradually, slowly, through frequent prayer, we begin to realise that while our practical need has not been met, God is present, and that he is sufficient. If we continue to persevere in prayer, we begin to desire God above all, regardless of our concrete circumstances. This is “seeking first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). With this Jesus will surely find Faith on Earth when he comes back.
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, increase my faith and make it strong that I may never doubt your word and promise to be with me always. In every situation I face - whether trials, setbacks, or loss - may I always find strength in your unfailing love and find joy and contentment in having you alone as the treasure of my heart. Amen
Be blessed
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