Why the Widow? (and the Judge)

Armodoxy for Today: Why a Widow?

As we continue your dive into the Parable of the Unrighteous Judge this week, we note that the woman who asks for her case to the heard is identified as widow. In fact, throughout the gospels you’ll find several references to widows. The use of a widow in this Parable, (Luke 18) is not an arbitrary or a random selection on Jesus’ part.

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 7, we read that as Jesus was passing by the gate of the city of Nain, a funeral procession was taking place. The Gospel narrative gives us these details, the dead man was “the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.” (12-15)

Yes, Jesus has a special concern and care for widows. In this story, the details are essential to understanding Jesus’ compassion and why Jesus reacted the way he did. In the society of that day – that is first century Palestine –  women were identified by their fathers, their husbands, and in the event that they were widowed, they were identified by their male sons. In this story, we find the widow has lost her only son, and therefore, she will be an outcast, without identity and betrayed to a life of indigence. Sadly, in parts of the world this still true, and in many societies, this can be found to be the case.

Jesus paid attention to the forgotten, to those who slip through the cracks and become shadows.

The Parable of the Unrighteous Judge has many dimensions, as we have explored throughout this week. The detail of a widow seeking justice is an important one to align us with Christ’s attention to the voiceless, the powerless, the forgotten.

We pray today, Lord, open my heart to Your love, that I may notice and tend to the forgotten. Amen.