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| Saint John the Baptist (1603-1604) by Caravaggio |
Pilgrimage to Saint John the Baptist Parish Church, San Juan City
June 24, Jubilee Year of 2021
Spiritual Reflection
PRAYER TO SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
Saint
John the Baptist, son of holy parents, Forerunner of the Messiah, you are the Elijah
foretold to return who received the unique praise of Our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ that among those born of women no one is greater than yourself. Because
you spoke the truth of God to the power of Herod, you were
martyred for your outspokenness. Intercede for us before the holy throne
of God, listen to our prayers, and join with us in our supplications for the mercy
and blessings of the Almighty. This day that we celebrate your birth we present
to Almighty God our petitions for the upstanding and just conduct of our 2022 elections
and for the conversion of the Philippine people, whom we pray will choose
servant leaders sworn to accomplish their solemn duty to our nation with
wisdom, ability, competence, heroism, courage, integrity, justice, truth, selflessness, and generosity.
Public domain image
ReplyDeleteImage link:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Michelangelo_Merisi_da_Caravaggio_-_St_John_the_Baptist_-_WGA04154.jpg
Gonzalinho
POLITICAL THEOLOGY
ReplyDeleteLet me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace
To his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
That his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
Righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
And righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
And our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him
And will make a path for his steps.
—Psalm 85:8-13
“[Jean] Gerson’s argument for a righteous political order that makes for peace feeds a political imagination where order, justice, and peace come from good human rule under God. Today the role of human politics in generating peace, order, and justice is often severed from God’s guidance, but Christians still expect rulers to create justice and peace.”
https://politicaltheology.com/the-politics-of-getting-justice-and-peace-to-kiss-psalm-858-13/
—Richard Davis, “The Politics of Getting Justice and Peace to Kiss—Psalm 85:8-13,” July 6, 2015, Political Theology Network
We cannot separate a just political order abounding in peace and prosperity from the imperative of human rule under God's law and guidance. If not only the leaders but also the people are evil, the nation will not experience righteousness, faithfulness, justice, and peace but rather iniquity, lawlessness, oppression, and discord.
We are given the opportunity to choose our leaders. Let us choose well.
Gonzalinho