The chips are down

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage reflection on the patience we have when "the chips are down". The Book of Wisdom reminds the readers of the deliverance from the slavery of Egypt which was accomplished by God and the faith of the people that they would be protected and led to a Promised Land.  The psalmist proclaims praise to God for the delivery of the people of God from Egyptian slavery to the be faithful to the promise to Abraham. The passage from Luke is a parable where Jesus relates how the patience and persistence of widow seeking justice led to her moving the unjust judge to decide in her favour. The middle east culture often uses exaggeration to make a point. The action of the "unjust" judge is compared to the Divine justice which does not hesitate to respond to the petitions of the faithful. When does the response take effect?  The parable declares that it comes quickly. The tension between the desire of the faithful person and the will and desire of God to lead us to the fulfillment of His Promises may translate into time for the movement toward the intimacy with the Divine which best resolves our need and at the same time as we petition and move toward this deeper intimacy we experience the grace of faith to fuel our patience and persistence.