When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? Will he find it in you?

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” — Epictetus.

We all like stories about the “little guy” beating the “big guy” in a struggle.

This is the biblical “David and Goliath” story in yet another form.

There is a deep sense of justice, of right, of good winning over bad. This story satisfies on the deepest levels.

Today such a fight takes place with a mighty judge and not just a woman (the odds are already against her), but a widow. That means she has no property, money, power.

Some injustice has been done to her. The judge, however, seems to be siding with the forces that be — the money powers; Jesus describes him as a corrupt judge.

That usually means one is taking bribes and so they will decide in favor of those who can pay; therefore, this woman would have no chance.

But there is something powerful about someone who really believes in their point of view or case. Even without any power — probably not even the means to have a lawyer — she keeps coming to the court day after day! She keeps shouting out her case day after day! Day after day she keeps telling the judge and anyone she can about the injustice as she seeks justice from the court.

Persistence, conviction, self-confidence, need, hope and the willingness to fight on to victory are the stuff that keep her going.

The judge’s corruption, his greed and concern only for himself, prove no contest to this woman’s honest fight; she would not give up until justice was done!

This is the example Jesus gives for prayer.

Pray always! Do not become weary of prayer! Ask again, and again, and again, and again, and … this is what it means to pray.

The point is not the number of times. The point is not even just what we ask for. That can change as we ask. That can become more clear as we keep praying.

Sometimes we realize we are asking for the wrong thing. In order to be so persistent, and to keep at it again and again and again, we have to believe in ourselves, our need, our prayer.

Therein lies the power.

This also verifies what Jesus consistently says at every healing. He always turns to the person and finally says: “Your faith has saved you. You faith has healed you.”

At the end of this parable, Jesus winds it all up with the real issue, the real question. “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 14th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at perry.leiker@gmail.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.