Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24) – October 19, 2025
“3(Jesus) told them a parable to the effect that 
they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”
- Luke 18:1 -
Certainly we’ve all had experiences in which someone is so persistent with us that it begins to drive us nuts, and even makes us angry. Jesus told his followers a parable that helps us to think about that a bit differently. His story also reminds us of God’s infinite mercy, which is more abundant and given more freely than that of the unjust judge who ruled a favorable outcome in the widow’s long-standing case. 
The reality that human beings live in, now and from the beginning of time, is that justice does not always prevail on earth. We are all sinful people who have our own ideas, agendas, and political leanings, which means that there are times when we don’t always see things clearly from a point of view of “what is just.” The judge in Jesus’ parable had no regard for God and was no lover of people either! It sounds as though he simply did as liked, and everyone else had to “like it or lump it.” This happens to all of us at times, but it seems to occur more often to some than others. Many people in our world have been abused, neglected, marginalized, and held captive to so many things that they have lost the ability to advocate for themselves. Those people tend to fall through the proverbial cracks because there is no one to look out for them, least of all themselves. 
That was not the case with the widow. She had no problem looking out for herself. Her courage and perseverance are to be admired. She wasn’t asking for something that she didn’t deserve, only what was coming to her by law. No one was there to stand in for her and make an argument on her behalf, so she did it herself. And she was relentless! 
Jesus calls his followers to be relentless in the pursuit of righteousness: to show mercy, love our neighbors, advocate for those without a voice, protect children, and preach the gospel. When our prayers seem to be falling on deaf ears, he says to us, “Do not be discouraged! Keep at it! Your Father in heaven hears your cries and will answer you because he loves you!” 
What confidence we can have in our Lord. By his very nature he is righteous and fair. We can count on him to hear our pleas and answer us when we call on him. In fact, he wants us to do just that.
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24) – October 19, 2025
“3(Jesus) told them a parable to the effect that 
they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”
- Luke 18:1 -
Certainly we’ve all had experiences in which someone is so persistent with us that it begins to drive us nuts, and even makes us angry. Jesus told his followers a parable that helps us to think about that a bit differently. His story also reminds us of God’s infinite mercy, which is more abundant and given more freely than that of the unjust judge who ruled a favorable outcome in the widow’s long-standing case. 
The reality that human beings live in, now and from the beginning of time, is that justice does not always prevail on earth. We are all sinful people who have our own ideas, agendas, and political leanings, which means that there are times when we don’t always see things clearly from a point of view of “what is just.” The judge in Jesus’ parable had no regard for God and was no lover of people either! It sounds as though he simply did as liked, and everyone else had to “like it or lump it.” This happens to all of us at times, but it seems to occur more often to some than others. Many people in our world have been abused, neglected, marginalized, and held captive to so many things that they have lost the ability to advocate for themselves. Those people tend to fall through the proverbial cracks because there is no one to look out for them, least of all themselves. 
That was not the case with the widow. She had no problem looking out for herself. Her courage and perseverance are to be admired. She wasn’t asking for something that she didn’t deserve, only what was coming to her by law. No one was there to stand in for her and make an argument on her behalf, so she did it herself. And she was relentless! 
Jesus calls his followers to be relentless in the pursuit of righteousness: to show mercy, love our neighbors, advocate for those without a voice, protect children, and preach the gospel. When our prayers seem to be falling on deaf ears, he says to us, “Do not be discouraged! Keep at it! Your Father in heaven hears your cries and will answer you because he loves you!” 
What confidence we can have in our Lord. By his very nature he is righteous and fair. We can count on him to hear our pleas and answer us when we call on him. In fact, he wants us to do just that.