Monday, September 13, 2021

PRAYER OF FAITH

Meditation for Monday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time

(1 Tim 2:1-8; Lk 7:1-10)

How often do we pray for people in authority? St Paul highlights the importance of praying for people in authority, and he urged Timothy to organize supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving especially for kings and all who are in high positions, “That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.” It is the will of God that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, including people in authority. Jesus the one mediator between God and men can save our leaders so that they can promote peaceful co-existence among the people. This will create room for all men to come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. Hence, St Paul tells Timothy, “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or quarrelling.”

As we are urged to bring our leaders to Jesus through prayer, a man of authority in the gospel of today approached Jesus to request for healing for her slave. Being a Roman centurion, he sent the Jewish elders to plead on his behalf to Jesus. They INTERCEDED for him, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation…” While Jesus was on his way, the man sent message to him saying, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.” From his little authority as a centurion, the man recognized the greater authority of Jesus as omnipresent, traversing time and space. The man’s faith went beyond his desire to receive the healing he prayed for, to extoling the authority of Jesus, and most importantly, he surrendered both his desire and authority to Jesus, and waited patiently for His will be done.

Jesus marveled at such great faith, and said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” This is the kind of faith that conquers and heals; the faith than can heal our land and bring all people to experience the saving power of Jesus, especially our leaders.

St John Chrysostom, Pray for us. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Monday September 13th, 2021.
www.soundofsilence.ng
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

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