Do good across board

 

Prayer breaks any barriers.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, September 18th, 2023
Texts: 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Psalm 28:2,7-9; Luke 7:1-10 

The centurion of today’s gospel reading teaches us to do good across board. Why? It is because we do not know from where salvation we come. The centurion made connection with the Jews by his good deeds. We read, “When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” We are to do good not to ourselves alone but across board.  

St. Paul, in today’s first reading, speaks of praying for all men. We should not pray for ourselves alone. In the words of St. Paul: “First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions”. He gives us two reason for praying for all men. First, it is that we may live good life. He puts it thus: “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.” This reminds us that we do not attain peace alone, we attain peace together. We will live in peace when all men give up evil. 

Prayer breaks any barriers

Second, St. Paul tells us that it is the will of God that all men be saved and know the truth. What is the truth that all men should know? It is the truth that there is only one God and one mediator. Knowing that there is only one God and only one mediator encourages unity among men.  All men will also love one another and live in peace. St. Paul shows that through prayer all men come to the knowledge of the truth. Prayer breaks any barriers. Hence, St. Paul says, “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarrelling.” 

Prayer 

God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for being good to us all; may all know the truth that there is only one God and one mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke