Today we hear of the "unjust judge" (Lk 16: 6). Previously, in Luke's gospel, we have heard of evil disciples "If you then, who are evil" (Lk 11: 13) and the "dishonest manager" (Lk 16: 8). In each case a deficient human being is shown as acting in a shrewd or correct way despite their limitations. This contrasts with God, who is merciful (Lk 6: 36), to show how much more divine love and justice surpass human weakness. Luke intervenes as editor to state the purpose of the parable which is the: "... need to pray always and not to lose heart." (Lk 16: 1) The intention is to strengthen the trust that Theophilus and other disciples have in God's providential love and care for them. The question I have is the same as the implicit question that Luke has for Theophilus, that is: have you stopped praying? have you lost heart? Maybe there are members of the Likan community who were losing hope as they suffered persecutions. When we consider how Catholic culture and practice has declined over the last fifty years are we in a similar situation? If so, then this gospel is for us. If we who are evil and weak know what it is to hold on to our love for our spouses, children and grandchildren who suffer and to pray for them, so much more does God care for us and attend to our prayers if we stay faithful to him.
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