My dad was a die-hard Democrat … maybe even a socialist. My mom became a die-hard Republican in her later years. My grandparents were Democrats (dad’s side) and Republicans (mom’s side). I have friends who proudly voted for Donald Trump. Others voted for Hillary Clinton. Still others opted out this time around.
I am a “cradle Catholic” but in my work with the Church, I’ve met so many faithful Catholics whose roots were in other churches … or no church at all. I sit on committees and have friends who are Jewish, Muslim, Greek Orthodox, Hindu …
My life has been a wonderful melting pot of influences and I bet if you examine your own circles at work, at Church, at home … you will find the same.
So, how is that a Catholic can associate with others and not compromise their faith teachings? How can a Republican invite a Democrat to dinner to discuss politics and not be branded a traitor to the cause?
In an era where so many people want to work, live and play in isolation and want to tear down the statues of leaders with human faults, we have become very careful of what we say, very afraid of who we are seen with and timid on how we carry on our daily lives.
Our Church reminds us today that this tension in a diverse world is nothing new.
Today’s readings start with a pastoral letter from Timothy, who was of mixed heritage himself – he had both Pagan and Jewish roots before he met Paul and became a follower of Christ.
At the time he wrote his instructions, there was much confusion among the faithful concerning the “boundaries” of daily life. Like the Jews before them, the new Christians of that time did not participate in “civic worship” of the gods and the civic leaders who believed they were the personification of those gods. That made them targets for others who wondered where their loyalties lied.
It’s understandable that they believed if they worshiped the pagan gods of the pagan society, they would be disobeying God’s commandment to worship only Him. And while Timothy doesn’t urge them to go that far, he does instruct the faithful that they should always pray for these civic leaders.
“I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.”
Do you pray for Donald Trump? Or, do you fear that by telling others that you pray for him, they will suspect that you support everything he does, and therefore by association, you are as (good or bad) as he is? The same question goes for other polarizing figures in the United States and all over the world. Do you pray for Vladimir Putin? What about Kim Jong-un of North Korea? The leaders of ISIS?
I hope you answered yes.
Praying for world leaders – good or bad – is something we should all be doing on a daily basis. It doesn’t mean we support everything they do. But it’s a reflection of what we should be about … asking God to intervene and soften the hearts of leaders, in order to bring peace and order to our society.
Timothy was clear on that point.
“It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.”
This notion of “crossing boundaries” is also addressed in today’s Gospel from Luke. The story of Jesus curing the servant of a Roman centurion serves as a reminder of the ancient laws of purity that Jesus was often eager to break.
In the story, the centurion is said to be a man who had earned the respect of many – a good civic leader who loved the nation and had even helped build the Jewish synagogue. A servant was close to death, but having heard Jesus had come his way, he sent the Jewish elders to him and asked for a miraculous healing.
But, the rule of ritual purity would have prevented Jesus from entering the pagan household. No matter, the centurion said. That would not be necessary, for he knew that Jesus only had to the say the word …
“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed.”
Those words should sound familiar. They are the source of the small prayer Catholics utter at Mass, just before receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.
So, in the end, Jesus “crosses the boundary” of the day and heals the servant. Just as he did when he dined with the tax collectors and healed the sick on the Sabbath.
What boundaries have you crossed lately?
In a diverse world where geographic boundaries are no longer the same as ethnic boundaries, we must as Christians acknowledge that God seeks the conversion of souls of everyone – regardless of race and politics and regardless of their status in society.
The most effective way to make that happen is to be consistent in our prayers for the world.
But it also helps if we can become present in the lives of others – especially those who do not look like you, do not vote like you, do not worship like you … even those who do not even recognize our God as creator and redeemer.
If these beautiful souls – created and loved by God – do not know us and never see us, then how will we ever be able to share the peace, hope and charity that we have in our hearts?
Pray for our leaders, our friends and our foes … and don’t be afraid to cross boundaries to put those prayers into action.
