25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Amos 8:4-7 | Psalm 112:1-2,4-8 | 1 Timothy 2:1-8 | Luke 16:1-13
My advice is that, first of all, there should be prayers offered for everyone – petitions, intercessions and thanksgiving – and especially for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Ask any person in any developed country what they think of their local politicians, and you risk being deluged by a torrent of profanity and complaints. Apparently, our leaders are the scum of the earth, greedy bastards whose sole interest is to line their pockets with public funds and private contributions.
They’d probably also reminisce about past generations of leaders who truly understood what “public service” meant, who dedicated their lives to bettering their country and countrymen, without thought to their own benefit. We’ll never see these “few good men” again.
But here’s the thing: We’ve been taught since young to ask God for what we truly want, so why don’t we ask Him for the kind of leaders we want?
“Nah, it doesn’t work that way.”
Huh? If we can’t ask for people who care enough to serve the public good, what can we ask God for?
“…”
✞ ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞
I think we’ve gotten too used to thinking that God doesn’t really answer our prayers, not stopping to think that perhaps it’s what we ask for that God has determined to not be good for us.
Well, Holy Mother Church has determined that appealing to God for wise leaders in public office is both licit and encouraged. It’s enshrined in the ninth Solemn Intercession on Good Friday, so it doesn’t get much more serious than that.
So instead of viciously castigating our leaders for failing to do their sworn duty, let us pray to God to touch their hearts and guide their minds towards making wise decisions on national matters, and acting in the service of the nation and its people.
After all, if we want rulers who know how to exercise power righteously, who better to ask than our Sovereign King?
IX. For those in public office
Let us pray also for those in public office,
that our God and Lord
may direct their minds and hearts according to his will
for the true peace and freedom of all.
Almighty ever-living God,
in whose hand lies every human heart
and the rights of peoples,
look with favour, we pray,
on those who govern with authority over us,
that throughout the whole world,
the prosperity of peoples,
the assurance of peace,
and freedom of religion
may through your gift be made secure.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.