FR. JOHN SCHMOLL, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
Contributing Writer
The presidential inauguration just occurred a few days ago. Whether you voted for the winner or loser isn’t important. What’s important is that we come together and pray for our president, Congress, the judiciary and all our national, state and local leaders.
It isn’t just a nice or pious thought—it’s a biblical mandate. We must be repeatedly reminded of this because it doesn’t come naturally to us. In a very polarized time, we need to heed the word of God in this.
According to 2 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all those who hold positions of authority, so that we may be able to lead a tranquil and quiet life with all possible devotion.”
Some may view the new president as their enemy. The Bible does not let them off the hook.
Not only must they fulfill the admonition of St. Paul above, but they must also practice the words of Jesus himself: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’”
I hope our leaders won’t persecute us, but sometimes we see their election as persecution. So, in the last 248 years, Jan. 20, to Jan. 20, 2029, is the latest segment of prayer for our leaders.
Intense and regular prayer helps us use God’s graces, blessings and mercies to live a life of civility. It does no good to pray in silence and live a completely different life out loud.
James 1:19, 22, and 26 help us regarding this: “Remember this, my beloved brethren: everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to anger…Be doers of the word and not just hearers who only deceive themselves…If anyone thinks that he is religious but does not restrain his tongue, he is deceiving himself, and his religion is worthless.”
Let’s revisit St. Paul in Ephesians 4:26: “If you are angry, do not sin. Do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not give the devil an opening.” I will use these three quotes, but there are many more in the Hebrew (Old Testament) and Christian (New Testament) Bible scriptures.
We can argue and debate. In the passage above, St. Paul says we can be angry as long as we do not sin. People, especially leaders, will take positions with which we won’t agree, but that is the reality of life.
When someone speaks to us about a subject we disagree with, let us try hearing what they say. Often, we are already forming our comeback while they are still speaking. Therefore, we have not truly listened.
Remember: if we have genuinely listened, we should be able to repeat to the person exactly what he or she has said. If we have only heard the person, we won’t be able to do that. We will have already forgotten what was said.
When someone knows we are truly listening to them, they will be more open to listening to us. We might not win the argument, but we will have planted a seed—and a seed might be planted in us.
Let us use these days and years to practice what the Lord teaches. Let us be people of prayer and listening. Peace!
