Friday 4 May 2007

So, let's actually move into this parable today.

Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart. (Luke18:1) 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.' (Luke 18:2-3)

We have a powerful person here. The judge appears to be an island to himself and also a person who sees that there is no need to be connected - to anyone! There was no awe in regard to God and I would suggest that such a lack of awe is unfortunate. It is unfortunate because it shows that this judge may not see the vision of God's Reign and the life that it creates and manifests and builds. Therefore, why have awe of God if God is simply a "supreme being" with whom we have no contact. The awe comes, for me, when we are given the vision to see the life that begins to unfold as the vision of God's Reign begins taking place in the lives of those who are filled with awe of what God is able to create among us...by using us. In front of the judge is an opportunity. There in the presence of a widow - a powerless woman - is the gateway into another reality that is a available as merely the act of paying attention and responding. This widow seeks the well-being, the healing, the mercy, the wholeness, the shalom, the justice that is all a part of the Reign of God. Unfortunately, the Judge doesn't appear to be to aware of here urgent need. I always have to remember that she is not seeking to have another person "done in." She is seeking justice. That may mean she will not receive all that she wants...but she will receive justice. Big difference.

Connection: Sometimes we simply need to hold things up and press for the time that is needed to bring justice among us. Even when the powers of the day - no matter what their shape - do not listen or care not about such concerns. Within this day, we will all experience opportunities to keep our ground - be grounded...and begin to change what is.

Come, Holy Spirit, and help us to patiently and persistently seek justice within our day. Without such power, we too often settle for the imbalance of our world. Amen.