Faithfuiness

How do you ignore someone who keeps bothering you?

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, Grant me justice against my opponent. For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming. ' And the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?' - Luke 18:1-8

Today's Gospel reading is a bit odd.  It seems to be encouraging us to be like the annoying woman who kept asking the judge for justice.

But we know God cares more about us than the judge does about the woman, so what is the point of the parable? 

Maybe the point is that we expect too much of God, so in return we do little.

Jesus tells us that he finds little faith on earth, despite God's attentiveness to us.  There is bitterness in his words.  How could we not be faithful when God is so faithful to us?

We are much more eager to make demands of God than to adhere to our commitments to Him.  He will forgive us, so we don't work hard to avoid needing forgiveness.

We say Jesus was sacrificed for us, so we can be saved from our sinfulness, but what does that mean?  It may be true that God will grant forgiveness to anyone who asks and truly desires to change, but what if we expect it and as a result, continue to sin?

That isn't being faithful, is it?

Why should God be so loving if we choose to take advantage?

At some point, after the annoying person comes back too many times, I will ignore his request.  Why should I bet everything on the hope that God won't do the same to me?

Maybe that's the point.  Jesus wants us to think about that. 

Let us give thanks that God is good.

More to come...