St John Chrysostom | Monday 13 September 2021

Today is Monday the 13 September, the feast of St John Chrysostom, in the 24th week of Ordinary Time.

 
The choir of Holy Sepulchre London, directed by Peter Asprey sing, ‘Otche Nash’ a setting of the Lord’s prayer. As you listen, you might like to say the Our Father as you begin a time of prayer today…
 
Today’s reading is from the first letter to Timothy.
 
Timothy 2:1-8
 
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For
there is one God;
   there is also one mediator between God and humankind,
Christ Jesus, himself human, 
   who gave himself a ransom for all
—this was attested at the right time. For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.
 
Why do you think that Paul is asking for “supplications and prayers…for all who are in high positions”? Is this something you practise? How easy or difficult do you find this?
 
“Christ Jesus… gave himself a ransom for all”. What does this mean to you?
 
Paul talks here about wanting us to “pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument”. Have you ever done that?
  Did it make any difference?
 
 
“God our Saviour…desires everyone to be saved”. As you listen to the passage again, ponder this statement…does it make any difference to you in your life? Do you believe it?
 
 
Finally, try and sum up all that you are feeling now, in the form of a prayer to God.
 

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.