Last week, we read
a passage from Jesus’ life events. While
he was traveling, a group of men with leprosy asked Jesus to help them. He
healed them, but then was surprised that only one came back to say, “Thank you.”
This week, we
visit the next chapter in the book of Luke, where we read several of Jesus’
teachings to his disciples and his followers. Jesus told them this unfamiliar parable
about a relentless widow. Hear Jesus’ words as they are recorded in Luke,
chapter 18, verses one through eight;
Proclamation of the Scripture Luke 18:1-8 from the Message
18 1-3 Jesus told them a story
showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He
said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and
cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are
being violated. Protect me!’
4-5 “He never gave her the time of
day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God
thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering
me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going
to end up beaten
black-and-blue by her pounding.’”
6-8 Then the Master said, “Do you
hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God
won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out
for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag
his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man
find on the earth when he returns?”
Here ends this reading of the Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God. Amen.
The squeaky wheel
gets the oil.
In Biblical times,
widows were very vulnerable. They often were left destitute when their husbands
died. In most cases, women were not allowed to own property. A wife was
dependent on her husband, and when he died, she either had to return to her
father’s household if he was still living or live with her adult son if she had
one. Many women had neither a living
father nor an adult son when they lost their husbands. So, they were left without
income or a place to live unless a relative took pity on them. Legally, women
were not equal to men, and they were under the authority of male relatives.
Ancient Jewish
laws intended for widows to be treated compassionately. Widows could advocate
for themselves before judges who were supposed to adjudicate fairly on their behalf.
But, as we read in our parable, sometimes judges were not really concerned
about their constituents. Jesus described a Judge who neither cared about God nor
the people he served. But, he was capable of being worn down – the widow wouldn’t
leave the judge alone. She begged the judge to stop the perpetuators who were
violating her rights. She wanted the judge to do his job and protect her.
Finally, the judge
got tired of the women’s persistent demands for justice. He decided it would be less troublesome to
protect her from the wrongdoers than it was to listen to her nagging. So, he
acted on her behalf.
Jesus then
explained to his hearers that if a corrupt judge could be worn down, then we
shouldn’t doubt that our compassionate God will hear our pleas for justice. We
are reminded to be like the widow – to be persistent in our quest for justice –
justice for ourselves, justice for our neighbors, justice for vulnerable people, and justice for
people who can’t speak up for themselves.
This parable seems
very pertinent as it relates to the current conditions of the world and the
current conditions of our country. Since
March, people all over the world have rallied for peace on behalf of our
neighbors in the Ukraine. Our Vacation Bible School kids gathered supplies to
fill backpacks for refugees who are being supported by Church World Service. Our
own young people have lifted up prayers on behalf of new Ukrainian classmates
who have sought refuge in our community. People all over the world are working
on supporting refugees and coming up with solutions to cope with the oil
embargo against Russia and the lack of wheat exports from Ukraine, where we
formerly received 9% of the world’s wheat. The whole world is praying for the
people of Ukraine, and many individuals have taken on projects that are
intended to help bring justice for our Ukrainian neighbors in need.
Our faith calls
upon us to work on behalf of justice for others. At Trinity, we are very
committed to supporting the work of the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry. We
share food, toiletry items, and cleaning supplies with the guests of the Pantry.
We heave a team of steadfast volunteers who spend hours sorting food and
completing tasks needed for the distribution of items to the pantry’s guests. We
have members who have been leading fundraising efforts to purchase a new space.
We have members who have shared generously from their economic resources to
support many efforts at the Pantry. We are a church that cares about our
neighbors who are struggling to have enough to eat and to support their
families.
God works for Justice
for the people of the earth. Like our Creator, it is our calling to strive for
justice for all people. We particularly must work on behalf of vulnerable
people who are struggling to have hope. This is our quest and our calling.
May we live out
our faith with love. Amen.
