September 16, 2019 Monday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time-C ST. CORNELIUS, POPE, MARTYR; ST. CYPRIAN, BISHOP, MARTYR.

1 Timothy 2:1-8

Psalm 28

Luke 7:1-10

…I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be offered…for kings and for all in authority… 1 Tim. 2:1-2

The Lord is my strength and my shield.  In him my heart trusts, and I find help.  Ps.28:7

Lord, in St. Paul’s letter to his companion Timothy he urges him and his community to pray for kings and all people in authority.  At the time, that would be pagan Romans.   I wonder how that message was received by those oppressed by the Romans.  You tell us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.  While we today are not slaves of a brutal empire there is much division and even anger in our society about our political leaders.  There are numerous challenges to our religious freedom.  I think St. Paul and you would advise us to pray for our President, our Congress and our Supreme Court Judges.  Lord, I lift my hands in prayer that they be open to the Holy Spirit and will cooperate with your grace to make judgments and decisions that are in accord with your will and that benefit the common good.  I pray especially for those who pursue policies that do not respect innocent human life, a just immigration system, or economic opportunity for all especially the poor.  I renew my trust in you, dear Jesus, for you are the help of our nation.  Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, pray for us.  Amen