The parable presents the attitude of a judge (“neither feared God nor respected people”) who delays the administration of justice. To delay justice creates apprehension, anxiety, bewilderment, tiredness, discouragement, and desperation. The concern of Jesus is to instill in the heart of the Christian community the certainty that a persistent and confident prayer obtains the change of things. The purpose of the parable, therefore, is to encourage the Christian community “to pray continually and never lose heart.” Jesus urges the Christian community not to convert prayer into a sort of fulfillment of norms strictly established, but into a style of life that fertilizes our present, our relationships, our encounters, our self-offering and actively awaiting “the time” of God.

The attitude of the second personage of the parable helps us understand the characteristics of a prayer at all times and not to lose heart: a widow that cannot avoid the judge, because she belongs to his jurisdiction. She asks the judge to defend her cause (“Give me justice against my adversary”): she is denied a payment. Since she cannot pay the magistrate, the judge does not listen to her. He is indifferent.

Weak, vulnerable and without protection, the widow suffers injustice from “justice”. Now all she must do is to insist. It is her only weapon.  

The monologue of the judge, on one hand, manifests his selfishness, and on the other hand, it is the beginning of a revision of his heart. Confronted and questioned by the insistence and perseverance of the widow, the judge surrenders to the ‘bothering’ widow and gives her justice: “otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.'"

We have the important invitation of the Risen Lord addressed to the Christian community: “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says”: 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, lest by continually coming she wear me out.'"

Today’s Gospel is a beautiful and passionate catechesis addressed to the Christian community on the way: if the unjust judge surrenders - albeit in a rather selfish way - and gives justice to the widow, now shall not God bring about justice for his elect, who cry to Him day and night, and will he delay long over them?

God our Father “one day” (delayed Parousia or arrival) certainly will give justice: "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily”. Meanwhile, we cry to him “day and night”. Here the Lord asks the community the trust to insist and to be on alert because unlike the judge who delays justice, God intervenes with certainty and quickly. Luke underlines the active presence of God in our history.

Today’s Gospel invites us to live the present moment, whatever it may be, with the conviction of a fruitful resolution. Meanwhile, every believer must be ready. But, why should we always pray? To pray is like to breathe. We need the breath to live. Prayer is the breath of faith: “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" That is why Jesus urges us to pray and “not to lose heart”. We all have the experience of going through times of discouragement, especially when our prayers seem useless. But today’s word of Jesus assures us that God promptly answers his children, even though this doesn’t mean the Lord necessarily do it when and how we would like. Prayer helps us keep faith, confidence, trust in God, and to abandon ourselves to Him even when we do not understand his plan or “schedule”. In this, Jesus himself — who prayed constantly to His and our Father — is our “way”, “truth” and “life”. We become what we pray and what we love.

Today we celebrate the 93 World Mission Day "Baptized and Sent:" our mission is rooted in this relationship of love with the Father who “gives justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night”. Faith is the gift of life. Pope Francis in his message reminds us that “Every baptized man and woman is a mission. People in love never stand still: they are drawn out of themselves; they are attracted and attract others in turn; they give themselves to others and build relationships that are life-giving. As far as God’s love is concerned, no one is useless or insignificant. Each of us is a mission to the world, for each of us is the fruit of God’s love.”