ACC ~ Luke 18 v6 - 8

NOT AN ALLEGORICAL REPRESENTATION OF GOD

AUGUSTINE: These examples now are proposed so that important things may be suggested from things of less importance. They are like the example of the judge who feared neither God nor people and who nevertheless yielded to the widow bothering him to judge her case. He yielded not through piety or kindness but through fear of suffering annoyance. By no means does that unjust judge furnish an allegorical representation of God. The example is of an unjust man who, although he yields for the mere sake of avoiding annoyance, nevertheless cannot disregard those who bother him with continual pleadings. By this the Lord wishes us to infer how much care God bestows on those who beseech him, for God is both just and good. SERMON ON THE MOUNT 15. [1]

[1] FC 11:159*.

GOD VINDICATES US AGAINST SATAN’S ATTACKS

MARTYRIUS: As our Savior pointed out, even the cruel and wicked judge eventually looked into the poor widow’s case because she had wearied him with her insistence. It is quite clear that God does not neglect us. Even if he makes us wait, he will nonetheless answer us and see to our case all of a sudden. When we pray all the time, we should not weary. We should eagerly cry out to him day and night, begging him with a broken heart and a humble spirit. “A humble spirit is a sacrifice to God, and God will not reject a broken heart.” [1] BOOK OF PERFECTION 75. [2]

[1] Ps 51:17.

[2] CS 101:233**.

THE INCARNATE WORD OF GOD AVENGES US

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: We say in our prayers to him who is able to save and drive away from us that wicked being, “Avenge me of my adversary.” The only-begotten Word of God has truly done this by having become man. He has ejected the ruler of this world from his tyranny over us and has delivered and saved us and put us under the yoke of his kingdom. It is excellent to make requests through constant prayer, because Christ will receive our pleas and fulfill our petitions. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 119. [1]

[1] CGSL 479**.

WILL THE SON OF MAN FIND FAITH?

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: People sell the word of righteousness and make many abandon sound faith. They involve them in the inventions of devilish error. As Scripture says, they belch things out of their own hearts and not out of the mouth of the Lord. He foretold this saying, “When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” It did not escape his knowledge. How could it, since he is God, who knows all things? In his own words, he tells us that the love of many will grow cold. In the end times, some will depart from a correct and blameless faith. They will be going after seducing spirits and listening to the false words of people who have a seared conscience. [1] Against these, we come near to God as faithful servants, begging him that their wickedness and their attempts against his glory may have no effect. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 119. [2]

[1] 1 Tim 4:1-2.

[2] CGSL 479**.