Word to the Wise
Monday, September 13, 2021 - Monday in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Tim 2:1-8 and Luke 7:1-10]First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. [1 Tim.]
SEPTEMBER 13, ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, bishop and doctor of the church
The church follows this instruction in the First Letter to Timothy at every celebration of the eucharist in the form of the Prayer of the Faithful. There is never a lack of material for petitions! And these often will include prayers for "kings and all in authority." I can always be appreciative of these since my Dominican brothers have asked me to serve in positions of authority on a number of occasions, or else the ministry I served as pastor or administrator required me to exercise authority, e.g. director of a campus ministry. With regard to those in political authority, I am sure most of us have varying degrees of hope in regard to prayers on their account!! And who doesn't want to live a "quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity?" Ok, Ok...maybe a little excitement now and then!
The more important lines though speak of God's will that "everyone be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." This should give some impetus to our baptismal commitment to be "missionary disciples" (in Pope Francis' words) and sharers of the truth of our faith. Perhaps we could include a petition in the Prayer of the Faithful that those in authority will be good examples of living that faith and helping others come to a knowledge of the truth. St. John Chrysostom, the saint for today, discovered that such a witness can be dangerous, but that did not prevent him from speaking out. Can we be as courageous? AMEN