Our Honest Judge

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ 

For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” 

The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?  Will he be slow to answer them?  I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)

Do we always render “just decisions” against our adversary?  Who are our adversaries?  Are they those with different opinions and biases, for example?  They shouldn’t be especially since we are all part of the Body of Christ working together for common purpose that is to bring the Kingdom of God to earth as well as in heaven.

Most of us judge others as to whether they are for us or against us.  Therein lies the peril our democracy faces, and we Catholics are part of the problem.  Specifically, it has been estimated that there is an even split between those Catholics who supported President-Elect Joe Biden and President Trump.  Catholic morality must be so clouded that there could not be a clear majority for one side or the other.  Perhaps the split is due in part to television viewing habits such as watchers of MSNBC versus FOX News.  We become what we read or consume whether through books, social media, radio, and especially TV.  We are easily indoctrinated.  

It is far better to be indoctrinated by Jesus, our Christ.  Let’s pay attention to what this honest judge says to us.

Deacon David Pierce