The passage from the Book of Wisdom recalls the punishment God inflicted on Egypt during the time of Moses. It was a terrible punishment - the death of the firstborn sons of the Egyptians.

The passage describes how death appears like a mysterious spirit on a quiet and dark night. At its coming, the scene changes as families mourn the death of their firstborn. As Egypt's sons die, the children of Israel are saved as Pharoah finally decides to liberate them and allow them to return to the Promised Land.

But the action of God to save Israel reaches its climax at the Red Sea. God parts the sea to enable the Israelites to cross to the other side. He brings dry land out of the sea, and the people can roam like sheep and horses on the grassy plain.

Whereas, the Egyptians were punished for their hardness of heart.

In the Gospel passage, the disciples of Christ are reminded never to doubt that the Son of Man would return. The coming of the Lord and the sufferings which must precede it should not turn Christians away from their commitment.

Amid persecution, they "ought always to pray and not lose heart". Such is the message in the parable of the widow and the judge.

If the unrighteous judge can vindicate the widow because of her incessant pleading, will not God vindicate His people if they remain constant in prayer?