The Persistent Widow Speaking Truth to Power

What do you imagine the widow to be like? Young? Old? Frail? Bold? In this episode, Bonnie Lin highlights how widows have been an important part of Jesus' life and ministry. In this parable, Jesus features a widow to emulate the fullness of the Kingdom of God as she boldly speaks up, speaks out, and speaks truth to power. The widow represents those without power, without status, without a voice, and neglected by the governing system. She is pitched against a powerful judicial system that does not fear God nor upholds justice. Have you at times felt too weak, too small, too scared, and powerless in the face of justice?

One of the examples Bonnie Lin brought up was the growing Anti-Asian hate crimes, we find that as bystanders can make a difference by speaking truth to power. In living out the ezer community, Bonnie Lin introduces us to the 5Ds bystanders can do when witnessing a hate crime. Applying the widow’s experience, Bonnie Lin takes us deep into Jesus' parable to explore how the persistent widow caused the powerful unjust judge to feel like he was about to be KO'd in a boxing match.

Bonnie Lin is a PhD Candidate in Practical Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she has developed and taught a course on educational strategy in conflictual contexts, co-led the Asian American Theology and Ministry Colloquium, and directed research and designed learning tools for ministry innovation and antiracist initiatives. Her work brings together biblical hospitality, culturally responsive pedagogies, and restorative practices.

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