On Hold

Is God always listening?

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

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus wants us to know that God hears us, but He may not be so responsive right away.

That doesn't mean that God isn't listening to us.  Look at how many things we get involved in during the day.  Don't you have days where you totally forget to get back to someone?

We like to think that God is always available for us.  All we have to do is call upon Him and He responds as if He was waiting for our call.

We don't like to think we will be put on hold.  But it happens sometimes.  So, Jesus gives us an example to show us how we should be.  He does it in a parable.

Even the unjust judge will grant justice to quiet the persistent woman, so why wouldn't God, who is just, do the same?  And yet, and this is the point of the parables, will Jesus find faith when he comes?

Chances are he will not.

We don't get it.  We don't act like God.  Instead, we are more like the unjust judge, preoccupied with our own issues and concerns, unwilling to do for others.

Well, I know from personal experience that there can be great benefits from taking the call and making time for others.  At first it might seem we are going out of our way, but in the end, good things can result.

So, let us make time for those who seek our time.  And we may just encounter Jesus.

More to come...