Today’s New Testament reading from Timothy begins with the author, either Paul of Tarsus or one of his followers, asking “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.”
The life witness Paul promotes for disciples differs from that promoted by Jesus in the Gospel. Both sets of disciples are facing persecution. Yet, Paul proposes disciples “lead a quiet and tranquil life” under the tyranny of “kings,” – while Jesus proposes a risky and engaged life in communion, “Prepare a full account of your stewardship” – have you been “trustworthy in great matters?” Jesus is empowering disciples for the Community of God, while Paul is granting kings their right to tyranny. On Tyranny, is a book by Timothy Snyder that spent nearly 4 years on the New York Times best sellers list. Snyder makes 20 points about tyranny some of which are seriously debated. There seems to be considerable agreement about his first point, “Do not obey in advance.” Snyder goes on to write, “Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given.” “Individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do.”
Is it possible that most of us living on this earth are already living under tyranny – the tyranny of Militarism? Is it possible we are having such a difficult time freeing ourselves from the overt Military tyranny of Trump/Vance/MAGA because we have submitted in advance to the covert military tyranny of nationalism. Militarism’s tyranny begins with ranked supremacists making obedience Godly. Militarists develop systems and institutions in which their supremacists groom us in their God-given right to rule; politically, financially, theologically. Under Militarism, we are constantly being groomed in “Anticipatory Obedience.” For example, Snyder’s language when he writes of the “power of authoritarians.” But authoritarians, tyrants, have only control. Control forces or coerces unto death. Tyrants have no power and we need to stop assigning power to tyrants. It is we who are not tyrants and do not desire such control, who possess power. Power unites and nurtures unto life. We need to start claiming power as human beings. Also, Snyder’s language when he writes of “citizens who adapt.” But we are not citizens. Citizen is a term Militarists use to describe the subordinated population not in military ranks whom they rule. As Militarists control and divide their populations inside the military via rank, they control and divide their populations outside the military via nations. As Militarists diminish human beings as soldiers of this or that unit, they diminish human beings as citizens of this or that nation. As people inside the military need to stop receiving assignments to units, we outside the military need to stop receiving assignments to nations. We are human beings. We are empowered for great matters. One great matter in this era is claiming our power as one great humanity for one great communion.
Prayer: Beautiful Spirit, empower us to unify and to nurture.
Question: Who are the people and groups with whom I can be empowered to unite and/or nurture?
September 21, 2025 Gospel Luke 16:1-13 Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time