Render a just decision for me against my adversary

Wis 18,14-16; 19,6-9; Ps 104; Lk 18,1-8
16 NOVEMBER

From the Gospel we know that Jesus has always listened to every prayer addressed to him. No one ever cried to his heart and was disappointed by him. Listening was immediate, even if at times who addressed Him was put to the test. On prayer St. Paul reveals us many truths. The Lord has not heard one of his prayers with which he demands the liberation from the angel of Satan sent to slap him so that he did not mount in pride. The thorn in the flesh was needed to keep him always humble.

Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2Cor 12,7-10).

In the Letter to the Philippians he teaches that prayer is always granted with the gift of peace. He wonders why the heart is not at peace. You get peace, the end of prayer fails. Instead, in the Letter to the Romans he says that the man of God should always ask the Holy Spirit to uplift his prayer to our Father in his stead. While in the First Letter to Timothy he gives the rules for a true Christian prayer.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4,4-7). In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will (Rm 8,26-27). First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our saviour, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and apostle (I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth (1Tm 2,1-7).

The omnipotence of injustice and the nullity of an insistent demand collide in the parable of the unjust judge and the widow. The nullity of insistent prayer wins. Jesus reveals to us that his Father always lets himself be overcome by insistence. His omnipotence is always right and immediately comes to the aid of those who invoke him.

Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Why should one insist with the Lord? Because the insistence shows the degree of urgency or necessity of the grace we ask. If something is really necessary or indispensable for us, prayer will be insistent. If the thing is only accessory to us, the prayer will be ancillary. The requested thing may even not be there.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints, teach the disciples of Jesus the science of prayer.