A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. — Psalm 51:19

Mass readings: Jonah 3:1-10 / Luke 11:29-32 

Inspired Leadership 

In today’s first reading, the King of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s warning of impending doom, proclaimed a fast, and led his subjects in an act of public submission to the Lord. And so the city was saved. 

When he was Chancellor of England, St. Thomas More told Cardinal Thomas Wolsey that their nation would greatly benefit if political and religious leaders depended more on God to govern them. In more recent times, here in my home state of Louisiana, two governors followed the lead of the ancient Ninevite king and put More’s philosophy to work. Both governors, in times of great need, proclaimed days of prayer for Louisiana, urging its people to humble themselves before God Who alone could rescue them. In both cases, the effects of disasters decreased, and stability was once again the order of the day. 

Prayer: Lord, please inspire public officials to forego political correctness and recognize You as our Source.