This Sunday, September 21, 2025, is the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. As I look at the readings for the week, I am struck by St. Paul’s message to Timothy: “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.” 1 Tim 2:1-2
Paul wrote these words at a time when Rome ruled both the Jewish people and the newly formed band of followers of Christ. The Roman rulers were tyrants who expected to be obeyed, and there were severe consequences for lawbreakers or insurrectionists. Yet Paul asks for prayers to be offered for everyone, kings and people in authority which would include the Roman emperors who would go on to persecute and kill Christians.
The rhetoric used by some media outlets this week consists of taking sides and each side blaming the other for hatred and violence. I do not want this website to become political, but it is not difficult for me to see the irony of our circumstances today and want to react. People have been asked to tone down the speeches, stop the blaming, and get back to civil conversation. Can we agree to disagree without demonizing the “other side”? Can we “Make America kind again”?
I believe that prayer isn’t trying to change God’s mind about things. Think about changing God’s mind – what would that say about God? Would I be saying, “God, you’re wrong about this. You need to see it my way.” Yikes, could I be that arrogant? (Maybe, sometimes). We pray in order to grow in trust to God’s will and to conform our minds to God’s mind.
“For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?” See Romans 11:34; Isaiah 40; God’s words to Job in chapter 38+.
And so, I will follow Paul’s counsel, and I urge you to do so, too. I will offer supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings for the leaders of our nation and our world and our Church. Is it possible then that one day (soon) we can “lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity”?