The Holy Martyr Agatha (249-51); Post-feast of the Encounter
2 Timothy 2:11-19; Luke 18:2-8
Read Luke 18:2-8
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
I remember as a young priest asking my Spiritual Father how much I should pray a day. He told me that I should shoot for an hour of prayer time with the Lord, but if I was busy I should shoot for two hours!
Prayer is the life of a Christian. In our parable today, our Lord encourages us not to give up in prayer but to continue in perseverance, not becoming discouraged. In the Greek, the parable comes through much stronger and therefore more humorous than when it is rendered into English; verse 5 can also be understood as the judge worried that this widow would finally resort to assaulting him!
If this heartless and self-seeking judge will provide for this widow, how much more will the Lover of orphans and widows? The Lord is our ultimate judge, but the One who loves you and wants you to succeed.
St. Cyril of Alexandria comments:
The present parable assures us God will bend his ear to those who offer him their prayers, not carelessly nor negligently but with earnestness and constancy. The constant coming of the oppressed widow conquered the unjust judge that did not fear God or have any shame. Even against his will, he granted her request. How will not he who loves mercy and hates iniquity, and who always gives his helping hand to those that love him, accept those who draw near to him day and night and avenge them as his elect? (Commentary on Luke, Homily 119.5).