October 20th, 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 24
Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 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.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Luke 18:1-8
I have spent the last few days in the Muscle Shoals area of Alabama. We went out to Te-lah-nay's wall, built by her great grandson to remember who struggle to return from removal. She was a young girl with great gifts and against great odds found her way home. She carried on her people's story, healing and teaching all of her life. Her descendant built this long wall, stone by stone, to honor her journey and her faith in the Creator. A group of nearly fifty people gathered to thank God for her faithful witness and the persistence and love of her descendants. Together we celebrated the Creator's love for all people, no matter how different our cultures and ways may be.
Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow. This tale is not so much about the judge, but about our faithfulness and persistence in the face of rebuke and disappointment. The world may be corrupt, people may be cruel and unjust. God is always just and loving, aching to respond to our needs. Our small acts of faith are always rewarded with abundance.
Today, I ask God to help me persist in praying, seeking and reaching out. May we take the small steps necessary so that all might see the abundance and love of God.
I have spent the last few days in the Muscle Shoals area of Alabama. We went out to Te-lah-nay's wall, built by her great grandson to remember who struggle to return from removal. She was a young girl with great gifts and against great odds found her way home. She carried on her people's story, healing and teaching all of her life. Her descendant built this long wall, stone by stone, to honor her journey and her faith in the Creator. A group of nearly fifty people gathered to thank God for her faithful witness and the persistence and love of her descendants. Together we celebrated the Creator's love for all people, no matter how different our cultures and ways may be.
Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow. This tale is not so much about the judge, but about our faithfulness and persistence in the face of rebuke and disappointment. The world may be corrupt, people may be cruel and unjust. God is always just and loving, aching to respond to our needs. Our small acts of faith are always rewarded with abundance.
Today, I ask God to help me persist in praying, seeking and reaching out. May we take the small steps necessary so that all might see the abundance and love of God.
The Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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