“Beloved: First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority…”
In today’s reading, St. Paul asks all Christians to pray for kings and leaders – today’s equivalent might be the president, the vice president, congressional members, and judges. Regardless of our political beliefs, the power of this appeal should be universal. We all want to see our country blessed with peace and prosperity; we all want our leaders to serve with wisdom and the guidance of God. But in recent years, our country has become ever more polarized: liberal or conservative, rich or poor, Christian or secular… the dividing lines are drawn. Now more than ever, St. Paul’s words can serve to bring God’s peace to the turbulent political sphere, if we do as he requests: “It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.”
In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells the parable of a dishonest steward, who learns he is about to be dismissed for squandering his master’s property. The steward cleverly decides to garner favor with his master’s clients by forgiving their debts owed to his master. Surprisingly, the master commends the steward for his prudence! Jesus Himself affirms that “the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.”
This fails to make sense in any worldly way, but it does have a spiritual parallel. If we, who are sinners, are generous with our Master’s wealth, passing on what does not belong to us by offering God’s grace and mercy freely to others, we too will earn the goodwill of our brothers and sisters in faith. We can make friends with worldly wealth, hoping someday to be entrusted with true wealth in the kingdom of heaven, where the Lord will lift up the poor and exalt the lowly.
Every morning, let us remember to offer thanksgiving for God’s mercy to us. Every day, let us pour out abundant charity for the lowliest of our brothers. Every evening, let us lift up heartfelt prayers for our highest leaders. In this way, we will pave our pathway to heaven.
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