The Man in the Arena
By Deacon Rod Knight
I find it odd that people will say “he is not my president.” Got it, you did not vote for him, and you do not like his policies. The reality is if you are a citizen of the United States of America, he is your president. I have heard this said about President Biden as well as President Trump. Truthfully, I have heard it much farther back than our past two presidents. Why do we say this? Is it because we love to be armchair quarterbacks? Do we think we can do better? Do we pray for them? Our government is far from perfect, broken sinful humans run it, just like us. This is not going to be a political rant I promise.
Habemus papam! We have a new Pope! Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the first pope from the United States, Pope Leo XIV. The media is alive with hope and despair about the papacy and the future of the Church. Articles and videos with titles like: “Did Catholics just dodge a bullet?, The new pope and the era of peace, Pope Leo XIV the sign to watch for, A return to tradition? Pope Leo XIV’s tradition or compromise, The truth revealed, Pope Leo XIV’s surprising good first homily, and the list of mixed reviews goes on and on. How many have said, “Pope Francis is not my pope?” The reality is if you are Catholic, he was your Pope. Do we think we could have done better? Did we pray for him? Our Church here on earth (the Church Militant) is far from perfect, broken sinful humans run it, just like us. Veni Sancte Spiritus, Come Holy Spirit! Let us be Pilgrims of Hope and joyfully welcome our new Pope. Let history tell his story and let God be his judge. Let us pray for our Pope and Holy Mother Church.
We could use the Leonine Prayers (listed below) and say them after Mass, individually or in a group. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem!
Leonine Prayers:
V Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
R Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (3X)
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
V Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
R Have mercy on us. (3X)
No matter our differences in opinions, let us find unity in our Human Dignity and in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tomorrow is a new day, a new beginning, an opportunity to choose the good. May we be worthy of our call to the Catholic faith and live our lives in imitation of Jesus Christ.