Lectionary 496

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Scripture: Lectionary. Wisdom 19:14-16; 19:6-9. Psalm 105:2-3,36-37, 42-43. Luke 18:1-8:

With Advent approaching we leave the Book of Wisdom this day and will turn to the Maccabees next Monday. Our last reflections from Wisdom help us to thank God for the great event of the Exodus and the marvels God has done for the Chosen People. They will be led by God into the Promised Land and some 1200 years later the Mother of Jesus, the Seat of Wisdom, will give birth to Jesus who is for us Christians, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We have seen how Jesus and Mary are Wisdom persons as we listened to our readings from the Book of Wisdom.

An important verse for today’s Wisdom reading is: “for all creation, in its several kinds was being made over anew, serving its natural laws, that your children might be preserved unharmed.” Such was the effect on the people of Israel giving them their freedom and their hope to live in their own land. Psalm 105 is a praise psalm that recalls and thanks God for the marvels of the Exodus and the other miracle done in the desert.

Then in the Gospel, Jesus continues his wisdom through another parable addressed to his disciples. He starts off by telling them (and us): “Pray always and do not lose heart.” Then he begins his parable about the unrighteous judge and the persistent woman who needs his legal advice. She persists that he gives in so that he might return to his own peaceful realm. Jesus then helps us draw the conclusion that God who is perfect in righteousness and is the supreme judge will help us if we are persistent in our prayer and if we do not lose heart. Jesus assures us, “Will not God then do justice to his chosen ones who call out to him night and day?” He promises us “swift justice” and hope. We need only to have absolute trust in him and his promises. His words are full of wisdom and totally truthful. So be it this day. Amen.