Luke 18:1-8
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
I often ask myself why would I believe this or that…We must be persistent in our belief in seeking and finding the Truth as the widow was...And the answer to why believe in Truth is because it is True...Why believe in anything else?…Why would anyone believe in something if it is not the Truth?...But that is happening around the world more and more...This has happened in the past and is in mankind’s history...
Not seeking the Truth is becoming more troubling in our world that many in our contemporary and modern societies seem to downplay the significance of an Absolute Truth...A pervasive relativism has taken hold it seems, where subjective opinions are often elevated to the status of objective truth...This erosion of truth has profound implications for individuals, societies, and the world at large...The refusal of each of us to take a firm stance on moral issues is, in itself, a choice we make...It is our decision to remain neutral, to avoid conflict with others, or to simply defer to the prevailing cultural norms can hurt society...While neutrality may seem appealing to many, it can inadvertently contribute to the spread and even widespread belief in falsehoods, lies, a belief in propaganda, and injustice...So the comment of grant me injustice to my adversary is an interesting comment, and speaks of today's world as it did in Jesus' time...
A tragic consequence of this trend is the disparity between the passionate conviction of those who embrace falsehood and their often tepid response of those (and mine) who supposed to uphold the truth can contrast...Those who promote lies and deceit often exhibit their fervent zeal and great interest about their own ideas and ways, while those who are supposed to champion truth may appear hesitant and/or indecisive...Maybe we are becoming more apathetic to the Absolute Truth...This contrast highlights the urgent need for individuals to rediscover the value of Truth and to have the courage to defend it...By embracing Truth and what is Morally Right, we can discern right from wrong, and have good moral values and good character with those that are promoting bad moral values…We need to build strong relationships, and make sound decisions with our neighbors...Jesus has forever tied God and neighbor together, when He commands us to love God and neighbor...Ultimately, a commitment to truth is essential for a just and flourishing society, and love for our neighbor...
The relationship between faith and truth is very close...Indeed, a strong faith is rooted in a commitment to the Truth, the Way, and the Life...When we lose sight of Absolute Truth, our faith can become weakened, and we may be more susceptible to relativism and the belief that our opinions are the Truth...
Jesus' question, "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8), can be interpreted in different ways...One interpretation suggests that Jesus is questioning whether people will still believe in Him and His teachings in the future...Another interpretation suggests that He is concerned about the decline of faith and the rise of skepticism and opiniated ways replacing His Universal Truths...In the context of our current cultural climate, it's possible to see a connection between these different interpretations and His question...As relativism gains ground, faith in Absolute Truth and Truths, including the existence and nature of God, is often challenged...The decline of faith can lead to a loss of moral compass and a disregard for human life...Therefore, it's crucial to cultivate a strong faith that is grounded in the Truth...And God's Word is Truth...By studying the Bible, praying regularly, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can develop a deeper understanding of God's Word and His will for our lives...
There can be this danger in our neutrality and passive attitude...While it may seem appealing to avoid taking sides, neutrality often leads to a tacit endorsement of injustice...In the words of the wise widow, the adage "Grant me injustice rather than neutrality" underscores the importance of taking a stand...The widow worked for justice...By remaining neutral, we can inadvertently contribute to the spread of falsehood and the perpetuation of harmful ideologies and deceit...In the context of Jesus' time, the religious leaders often sought to maintain the status quo with their fervent attitudes, even when it meant compromising truth and justice...Jesus, on the other hand, challenged this religious establishment and called for radical discipleship...He emphasized the importance of taking a stand for what is right, even if it means facing opposition and persecution...He did...Today, we face similar challenges...We must be willing to speak out against injustice, to defend truth, and to live according to God's principles...By doing so, we can make a positive impact on the world and contribute to the establishment of a more just and equitable society...