The phrase “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” is often wrongly attributed to Albert Einstein. It is frequently quoted in inspirational talks and writings and has gained even more popularity through a widely acclaimed 2012 video game, where it was used as a catchphrase by one of the leading characters. The quote’s popularity perhaps stems from its simple message about the futility of repetition as a means for success, as well as an apparent rejection of the well-known wisdom captured in an old proverb: “Repetition is the mother of learning.” Although on the surface, both quotes seem to contradict each other, they are actually complementary. Many skills can only be acquired and developed through repeated practice; anyone who has learnt to play a musical instrument can attest to this. Those who have failed might refer to the other saying: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Whether repetition leads to success or failure depends on how it is practised; it seems “insane” when unreflective, but highly effective when paired with critical reflection on mistakes and errors that comes either from one’s own self-assessment or feedback provided by others. In fact, combining these two sources of critical views can produce the best results. Self-assessment may be overly optimistic (see any candidates in the TV show “The Apprentice”) or pessimistic; a healthy amount of unbiased, kindly critical feedback can counteract this – that’s what good coaches and managers do. Sometimes, such critical feedback can unintentionally stem from incidental events; a wise person would always consider it.
Today’s gospel tells a fictional story about mostly unsuccessful interactions between a widow and a heartless judge. The parable might feel quite unfamiliar to us because it doesn’t mirror how our modern justice system works. The main element in this story is a vast disparity between the all-powerful, arrogant judge and the widow, who was effectively powerless in society at the time. Her repeated appeals to the judge looked like a practical illustration of “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”, but in the end, she achieved her goal. “Jesus told his disciples [this] parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” The experience of prayers going unanswered by gods is as old as humankind. It was as familiar to Jesus’ audience as it is to each one of us. The parable in today’s gospel can reflect our feelings of being powerless against the Almighty God, who seems to ignore our pleas. Did Jesus tell us that we have to soften God’s heart by insistent repetitions? Does it contradict Jesus’ encouragement from his “Sermon on the Mount”: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened”? (Matthew 7:7-8)
The main cause of frustration with unanswered prayers is a misunderstanding of the purpose of Christian prayer. Even among Christians, it is often viewed as a one-way act of presenting needs or pleas beyond our own abilities, which the Almighty should instantly respond to through some form of divine intervention, whether providing the lucky numbers for the upcoming lottery draw or helping us out of a sticky situation. Such a view of prayer is much closer to pagan or naturalistic religions of the ancient world than to Christianity. In his teachings, Jesus frequently depicted God as a loving Father, as in the conclusion of the previously mentioned passage from the “Sermon on the Mount”: “how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11). That image is critically important to our understanding of Christian prayer as an intimate dialogue with God, a loving relationship where we are led to greater human, Christian, and spiritual maturity. It’s an approach that everyone here is familiar with, whether as a parent, a child of parents, or both. As children, we often looked at our parents’ rejections of our pleas as cruel, unreasonable or loveless, while they had the exact opposite view. Only having had our own children, do we find ourselves in a similar situation, being silently or openly accused of being cruel, unreasonable or loveless. We want our children to trust us, to believe that whatever we do is for their greater good. We try to achieve such trust by reasoning with them. Those conversations are not always successful on the first attempt, but if we continue the dialogue, the mutual understanding and trust have a chance to develop.
This is exactly what Christian prayer is all about. We share with the Almighty our desires, dreams, plans, needs, and so on, but with open hearts and minds, recognising that He might not fulfil them immediately, in the way we expect, or at all. Christian prayer is never a one-sided monologue where we present our wish list to God. Instead, it is a dialogue in which we are being schooled. The main question is the one Jesus ended his parable with: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
