David McLoughlin’s sessions are always a highlight and at this year’s NRCBR conference it was no exception. David’s re-reading of Luke’s parable of the persistent widow (sometimes referred to as ‘the corrupt/unjust judge’) in Luke 18:1-8 exemplifies David’s engaging style and his ability to look at familiar texts with fresh eyes (video and text below).

Understanding this parable can be quite a tricky task and David took us through the more traditional reading, pointing out some of the difficulties that attend it. After challenging its (rather un-Lukan) acceptance of the status quo, he then places it within its historical and literary context to explore a much more radical underlying message. A message that even challenges us (the hearers) to reconsider what we understand as the nature of prayer.

What I find remarkable in this reflection is the acceptance of the status quo, of the seriously corrupt nature of the world of business, of legislation and our role is to ameliorate it as best we may in hope of something better. But is this the message of the parable? Or is something else going on?

David has kindly given us permission to upload the text of this paper. It can be read by clicking on this link: Persistent Prayer to Effective Activism – paper