October 19, 2025 (Year C, I, Proper 24)

Luke 18:1-8

2 Timothy, 3:14 – 4:5

Psalm 121

Genesis 32:22-31

My daughter and I have many things in common, but the question we both asked in our catechism classes at the same age has always stood out in family memories. 

The question: “If women aren’t important to the church, then why did Jesus appear to them first?”

The response: We were both asked to leave the class. 

My mother and I both said, “Good question!” upon hearing it. 

Women were and are important to God and our church.

If you go through the Bible, you will find widows who are tenacious and passionate.  Tamar, Ruth, Bathsheba, Anna, the Widow of Nain, to name a few. 

And the woman in this morning’s gospel, a widow who repeatedly goes before a Judge with one request: “Grant me justice against my opponent.”

As for the judge, he’s no honorable jurist.  We heard that he neither fear God nor has respect for people.  The widow keeps appearing in his court with this same request, “Grant me justice against my opponent.”

 Over and over.

And over.

Until he can’t take it anymore.

He finally grants her justice.  Not because it’s the right action, but because of her insistence, not out of a sense of compassion or justice, but simply to get rid of her.  She’s worn him out. 

He wants her to go away.

At the end of the parable, Jesus tells the disciples that if an unjust judge listens to the persistent pleas of a widow, how much more will God listen to His chosen ones who cry to him day and night and will quickly grant justice to them?

Wait. Are we being told that the Judge and God are alike in that, if we pray enough, our prayers are eventually answered?

No.  What Jesus tells us is that God, who is loving and not unfeeling, will respond promptly, and will not delay.  I take that to mean we may not get what we prayed for, but often we get the answer we need, or one that leads us in the right direction.

I believe Jesus told his disciples to pray and not lose heart because their times were of uncertainty and fear.  If they were persistent in asking for strength and guidance to continue the work given to them, they would be vindicated.  Just keep at it.

We must do the same.

This parable is not about praying for things we want – it is not about being given a fortune as the result of insistent prayer.  It is not about being successful or getting the corner office on the tenth floor. It is inviting us in these, our times of fear and uncertainty, to be like the widow – tenacious, passionate, and fearless, in calling out the unethical and unjust.  We must make our voices heard.

We must keep the faith, so that when Jesus makes His triumphant return to Earth, he will find it. Perhaps he had a glimpse of it in the crowds of seven million and then some strong that marched yesterday as we shouted, “Grant us justice, give us our democracy!”

Be persistent, Children of God.

We need to pray always and to not lose heart.

© 2025, Rev. Deacon Ellen L. Ekstrom