Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

What is being said here, it is not immediately obvious. There are 2 rhetorical questions being asked, but only the first of them is answered by the lord. The 2nd question is meant for us to answer.

The first question is: “will He be slow to answer those that are in need,” the answer is no, but that He will answer speedily. God is not a going to spoon feed us everything we ever ask for, that would make Him our nanny, and us nothing more than infants. He does indeed want to give us everything…, but He wants our full participation in the graces that He pours out on the world. Life is a cooperation and a collaboration, between us and the Lord. And if we faithfully participate in that process, He will answer us speedily. It may not be in the way you wanted or even in the way you expected, but He will always grant the most just response to our petitions.

That is the point of the proceeding story, if an evil man will render justice, if you are persistent in your petitions, how much more will the just God hear your petitions, and grant you even more than you can imagine. Augustine once wrote that sometimes the Lord delays in granting our prayers because we are not yet in position to receive those payers, and he wants us to appreciate it more when it is finally granted. I experienced this once when I set out buy my current home. Our family really needed a new place to live, the old house was too far away from town, too small for our family and we needed to move. After looking we immediately found the perfect place, but we had to sell my house before we could buy it, and it took about 3 months for everything to fall into place. We had no assurance that the sellers would wait for us and we could do nothing until my old house was sold, so we prayed that God’s will be done, we prayed the 9 day novena to St. Joseph about 10 times in a row, and we prayed and prayed, and prayed. The prayer was not granted immediately, but it was granted. We are now living in that home, and it is perfect, it truly is the best thing that has happened to our family. I am so grateful, and I thank God everyday for my blessings, and the life that He has given me.

The second question He asks, is for us to answer. “When the Lord returns will He find faith?” As Paul says: “Faith is hope for what is wished for, and evidence of things not seen.” It is the essence of trust, and love and humility. It is the willingness to accept whatever decision that the Lord renders with regard to our petitions. This is the test that we will all face at the end of our lives. Are we willing to accept the justice that God has in mind for our sins. Are we willing to face that truth, are we willing to admit it is perfectly just, are we willing to beg for His forgiveness. If you are not in this state of mind, then you are not expressing the faith that God will be looking for when He returns.

I fear that too many people of this culture, love their sin, and will not be willing to accept the decision that the Lord will render on that fateful day. But until that day comes we are called to love and to teach and share the charity that the Lord has on offer, and repent and to get right with God. Get to confession, go to mass, and stay out of mortal sin. If we do that, then God will see faith when He comes again. I pray that day will be glorious day and not a sorrowful one.

Oh lord, today help me to remember all of my gifts, and to thank you and praise you for your generosity. I truly am not worthy of all of your love and grace, but I am so grateful. Amen.