Day 9 - "Emptying ourselves of the spirit of the world which is opposed to the Spirit of Jesus"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s Gospel Reading for Mass can help us learn more about the “spirit of the world” as it opposes the “Spirit of Jesus” and how we need God’s Grace to help us empty ourselves:

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. 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?” (Lk 18: 1-8)

It seems to me that the unjust judge shows us the “spirit of the world” . He “neither feared God nor respected any human being”. He was unwilling to give the widow a just decision. What changed his mind? It was not his concern for God’s Justice or the widow’s need but but rather for his own selfish reasoning and fear that she might come and strike him. The widow on the other hand, by her perseverance shows us how to prevail. Jesus tells His disciples (and us) Pay attention and explains how He wants us to know His Spirit: "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 the earth?

You may also be helped by reading an excellent article “Supernatural and Natural Faith” HERE. I found it very helpful.