We don’t know much about this judge except for the fact that he is referred to as dishonest. What is a judge if not someone committed to finding and then making fair decisions based on the truth? That’s like saying that someone is a doctor who can’t stand the sight of blood or is a plumber who hates touching things that are wet.

Sadly, this judge was dishonest. But that’s not the worst of it as he is also described as someone who “neither feared God nor respected any human being”. 

Remember that when Jesus was asked what it would take to inherit eternal life, he gave an answer that is often referred to as “The Great Commandment”. Jesus responded that you need to love God and you need to love your neighbor.

Love God. Love others. Got it.

This judge stands in direct contradiction to The Great Commandment. He did not love God. He did not love his neighbor. 

Yet, it was the persistence of this lowly widow that not only prompted him to action, but also and more importantly, moved him to “deliver a just decision”. Her efforts directly resulted in his desire to be just, to be honest, to care… even if for just this one time.

Christ’s message is that persistence and faith go hand in hand.

We are told several times throughout scripture that our prayers will be answered. Let’s imagine for a moment that our prayers are always answered – just as we request them… and precisely when we request them. On the one hand, you could say that that would offer proof of God’s existence and, therefore, we’d end up with a deeper faith. 

Well, I don’t think so. And I believe Jesus’ message today is that he doesn’t either because then we’d grow complacent, entitled, and that would then render God to “ATM status”. Praying would be our PIN code and God would be the machine sending money out of the slot. 

That is not the relationship God wants with us.

It’s when we don’t get the immediate and obvious sign. It’s when we need a miracle and are still waiting for it. It’s when we ask and don’t immediately receive. Those are the times when our faith is pushed and prodded, formed and shaped… and ultimately strengthened.

There is an expression: Faith untested is faith unreliable. When our faith is battle tested, it grows stronger. When we allow ourselves to be pushed and prodded, formed and shaped, then we become strengthened. Think of the journey of the disciples. Their discipleship was hard earned… but it was so worth it.

At the end of the Gospel, Jesus asks an interesting and, I think, very telling question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

When Jesus returns, will he find those who were willing to fight the good fight?

… to remain hopeful in the face of seeming abandonment?

… who begged for signs and despite not seeing them still prayed?

… and who were as persistent as the widow in today’s Gospel?

Have you been praying for something and it just hasn’t happened? If so, then be like the widow. Keep on going. Keep on praying. Stay with it.

And when the Son of Man comes, let him find the faith he is looking for.

Let him find it… in you.