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?"

Introductory Prayer: Lord God, you are my creator and redeemer. You created me to love you and entrust all my needs to you. Lord, I offer you my open heart so it may overflow with your glory.

Petition: Lord Jesus Christ, increase my faith. Teach me to be confident in your Father's goodness and to persevere in prayer.

1. There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being.

In the parable Christ speaks to us of judge and a widow. The judge is described as a man who does not live in fear of God, without fear of offending God by his actions and decisions. He does not respect any human being either. That happens when we don't give God his place, people and their needs mean less to us. When this widow approaches him and begs time and time again for justice against her adversary, her pleas mean nothing to him. He lacks the foundations for a just decision: he does not fear God and he does not respect any human being. Nevertheless, in the end, this wretched man finally gives in to her. He gives in because he is annoyed. She bothers him. To him she is a pest to be gotten rid of. And he gives in because of fear, lest she finally come and strike me.

2. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.'

What do we know about the widow? Something has occurred to set her against someone else and unless the judge intervenes a state of injustice will remain. She wants what is rightfully her own. This is key. She wants something and she wants it so badly that she comes back over and over again. She begs and implores the judge. Unless I also desire, really desire good - Christ, his will, to be a saint in today's world, to gain heaven, the salvation of souls - with all my heart and soul, I will not pray; I will not have anything to pray about. She desired and so she prayed.
The widow takes her prayer to the only one who is capable of deciding in her favor and setting things right. She realizes that she cannot obtain what she wants on her own. Neither can I. But unless I recognize that without God I can do nothing, I will fail to fly to him in prayer. I will not ask him for help. I will not ask him for grace.
And she takes her prayer to the judge as many times as was necessary for her to get what she desired. When she first went to see the judge, he did not answer her, he rejected her request. But it was not all over. She returned again. And again. And again. He finally gave in.

3. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?

The widow had only one person she could turn to in her need, an unjust judge. And who can I turn to when I am in need? Jesus tells us that when we pray we are not trying to break down the barriers of someone who has no time for us. I have a Father, one who loves me and who therefore chose me. He chose me and so from nothing, wanted to make me; he wanted me to be, to live. He chose me and so called me adopting me, making me his child, a member of his family, the Church. The judge couldn't care less about the widow and her plight. My Father cares about me and for me. He is personally concerned. The judge looked upon the widow as a pest, Get this creature away from me. My Father looks upon me tenderly, infinitely lovingly, Come unto me you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will give you rest. The judge would have preferred never to hear from the widow ever again. My Father says, Ask! Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be open to you.

Conversation: Lord Jesus, increase my trust and confidence in you. Help me to desire all the good you will for me with my whole being. I will confidently raise my eyes to you in prayer. Help me to realize my nothingness without you and see how much I really need you. Help me to fly to you always. If I don't hear back from you right away, help me to love what you love so much that I will persevere in prayer.

Questionnaire:

1. In what ways have I learned to show respect for others and therefore, God. How can I live my life more fully to reflect the dignity that God gave me and others as a child of God?

2. " Without me you can do nothing." How well does the way I live reflect the truth that without God I really can do nothing?

3. Do I find myself turning to God in prayer only at times of desperation or do I give him the best part of each day?