Gospel in Art: The parable of the unjust judge

The Iniquitous Judge, by Eugène Burnand, 1910. © Eugène Burnand Museum, Moudon, Switzerland

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 16 October 2022
Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. 'There was a judge in a certain town' he said 'who had neither fear of God nor respect for man.

In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, "I want justice from you against my enemy!"

For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, "Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death."'

And the Lord said 'You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?'

Reflection on the drawing

Swiss born Eugène Burnand who made this drawing was a deeply religious man. He became best known in Europe for his illustrations of the various Parables, of which today's drawing is a prime example. In 1872 he entered the Fine Arts School in Paris under Jean-Léon Gérôme. You can see the same level of realism in our drawing, and the focus on emotions being conveyed. The judge, dressed in white, is rather fed up and looking away from the woman in front of him; and the widow, in black, is seen begging, kneeling in front of the judge. Jesus is not comparing God to an unjust judge, but is simply saying that if perseverance (such as that of the widow) can obtain justice from an unjust judge, then how much more can we receive from a loving Father!

That is why Jesus is encouraging us to 'pray continually and never lose heart'. Persevering in prayer is hard and not always easy. Yet it is only through prayer that we learn to trust God more, and love him more, even though at times we may find ourselves asking whether prayer does make a difference at all. All our prayers will be answered, even if not always the way we had imagined or in the time frame we were hoping for. But that perseverance in prayer will expand our hearts, make us patient and more loving towards God… and each other…

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/

Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-18-1-8-2022/