A Need for Wisdom and Justice in Today's World

Today's liturgy offers us two Entrance Antiphons:  The first one reads: "In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory."  As I reflect on what is happening throughout the world, my prayer is:  "Lord, in the midst of the chaos in this world, raise up persons of wisdom and understanding of the untruths being proclaimed, the narcissistic goals being pushed forward by those competing with one another at the expense of the poor and oppressed, the persons seeking asylum, those wanting just laws and legislature that protects the environment and promotes the common good. I ask this in Jesus' name!"

The second Entrance Antiphon reads:  "The mouth of the just [person] utters wisdom, and his tongue tells  forth what is just; the law of his God is in his heart." My prayer is:  "Lord, we need just persons running every nation on this earth, persons who tell "forth what is just," persons whose hearts reflect Your will, O God, and whose hearts follow your law, not the laws dictated by human selfishness, narcissism, prideful competition, lust for power and prestige and control; persons who are not caught in the snares laid down by the Father of Lies, Satan Himself.  Help world leaders, Lord, recognize their motivations: are they, in truth, working for the good of their nations, the rights of all people to breathe clean air, have food to put on their tables, have just wages so as to educate, feed, and clothe their children according to God's plan that righteousness prevail and every person's rights are respected!  Help us, Lord! Please intervene in ways that change the course of this world when such seems to be leading to more and more unjust legislative actions that harm the earth and each other, especially the poor and persons treated as minorities with little or no rights equal to the so called majority. And have mercy on us Lord for the many times we have not spoken what is just, when Your Law written on our hearts has been ignored in our actions toward others.  I ask for these graces in Jesus' name and through the intercession of Jesus' mother Mary. Amen!"