Luke’s Gospel, today, reminds us that God will not abandon His chosen ones, if they remain steadfast and faithful to him. Through the analogy of the persistent widow and the unjust judge, Jesus points out that if the poor widow, who was traditionally powerless in a patriarchal society, could by her persistence move the judge to action, how much more would God respond to the persistent prayer of a community acting in faith.

The Early Church struggled to feel the presence of Christ and remain faithful, especially since they faced severe persecution and deprivation. Luke knows that they need reassurance and shows them how their diligence in faith will be rewarded.

Like the widow, who to onlookers may seem foolish in her demands, we too need to persist even through those periods of darkness when God seems inaccessible. When we persevere in faith, we will surely know the reciprocal love of God.