Prayers Should Be Offered For Everyone

09-18-2022AllFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp, V.F.

The first reading from Prophet Amos condemns the attitude of the rich who exploits the poor for their own selfish advantage. Prophet Amos warns us never to exploit anybody or take advantage of any person because of the person’s vulnerability.

Then, the second reading encourages us to pray for everyone especially those in authority because God wants everyone to be saved. Then in the gospel Jesus tells a parable and teaches us to put the same effort we use in things of this world for things of heaven. Our Spiritual life is something we all should care about.

Paul asking for prayers for everyone especially those in authority is like what Jesus asks us in the Gospel of Luke to pray for our enemies and those who treat us badly. This is because when Paul wrote this epistle in the first century the Romans were oppressing the Jews and treating them badly, yet he told them to pray for them. Paul knew that Jews at that time were not happy with the Roman authorities, yet he asked them for prayer for them because Christ wants everyone to be saved. By sincerely praying for those who treat us badly, those who hate us, we carry out Jesus words to love our enemies. Secondly, they need our prayers to be guided wisely by their decision. Let us pray for our government and those in authority today both in the church and state even when their policies, actions and decisions do not go down well with us.

The central message Jesus gives us from the gospel is that as the master of the steward does not give a negative judgement of his dishonest servant so too Jesus is not interested in giving us a negative judgment but we should make a decision to do better in our life. Jesus wants us to make a good decision about the things of heaven as we always do with the things of this world. Let us be wisely guided to care about our relationship with God in everything we do. May we ask for the Holy Spirit to seek God more with our mind and heart. Let us seek spiritual guidance to care for our souls and our relationship with God.

Happy Sunday to you all.

Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.