25th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Amos 8:4–7
Psalm 113:1–2, 4–6, 7–8
1 Timothy 2:1–8
Luke 16:1–13
In the catalog of those accounted as saints with feast days on our liturgical calendar are many who were kings and queens, individuals with authority and power in the temporal sphere. These were the politicians of old, and they responded to the call to holiness to a heroic degree. What is happening in our time?
Very few would call any political leader of our time saintly. On the contrary, it has become commonplace to admit, sometimes grudgingly, oftentimes with the claim of “being realistic,” that doing what needs to be done requires getting hands dirty.
St. Paul lived before the political saints came along, living under the power of the Roman Empire, which had become expert at cruelty and establishing power by violence, crushing all opposition.
His response was not to criticize or lament the political intrigues. Instead, he wrote to Timothy: “Beloved: 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.”
The response to our modern situation, to create the peace and tranquility needed to deepen our knowledge of the truth, ought to be similar to Paul’s. First, we must pray for politicians. If our goal is to live and share the truth, then we must approach everything from that intention.
Divisiveness will not lead to a peaceful witness of the truth of the Gospel. While it is true that those who misuse power to their own ends rather than for the common good should be admonished, we must approach this task with hearts full of love and offering first a witness of good will.
Paul continues: “It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.”
Desire for power is often a disguise for desire for money. These go hand in hand. To discover corruption, the adage says, “Follow the money.” The Gospel tells us, “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” To serve God relativizes all that can attract us in this world.
The saints of old who had power and money learned to put God first and then used their influence to take care of the poor and those without a voice. Their response to holiness was not necessarily a call to give up their influence, but rather to put their whole persons at the service of the Gospel.
Every human being has a circle of influence. When we discover a talent and put it in the service of others, we begin to know ourselves better. Assisting others in this world and witnessing faith to them clearly by putting God first is the way to true power. The paradox of the Gospel is always that we receive more than we give.
Bishop Fulton Sheen used to go after “big fish” to evangelize. Through his witness many came to know the reasonableness of the Catholic faith, and not a few among the powerful and famous responded to his invitation to become Catholic.
Perhaps we need to have a “campaign” that promotes conversion among the politicians and those with influence, first praying for them and then inviting them to the salvation that comes from knowledge of the truth.
The Church proposes the faith. The invitation to believe must be freely accepted.
Let us offer supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings for everyone, especially for our politicians and those who are famous, and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. May all come to knowledge of the truth that offers salvation.