XXIX Sunday in OT:[A]: (Oct 19) Is 45:1, 4-6; I Thes 1:1-5b; Mt 22: 15-21

XXIX Sunday in OT:[A]: (Oct 19) Is 45:1, 4-6; I Thes 1:1-5b; Mt 22: 15-21

Introduction: We will get in trouble with the law if we do not give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, but we have the most to lose if we do not give back to God the things that are God’s.  Our eternal happiness.

Exegesis: In today’s gospel, the enemies of Jesus thought they really had Jesus in trouble this time.  The gospel tells us he was approached by Pharisees and Herodians.  These two groups were bitter enemies.  Israel was under Roman rule, as you know, and the Herodians were totally loyal to Rome.  They would have immediately accused Jesus of promoting civil rebellion and revolution of he had said “don’t pay the taxes.”  The Pharisees, on the other hand held that God alone was their King and Lord and they viewed the payment of taxes to Rome as caving in to the hated Roman emperor, Tiberius Caesar, a foreigner and a pagan at that!  This hot issue was made worse by the fact that Rome’s tax burden on the Jewish people was extremely heavy.  Jesus asked them to show him a Roman coin; apparently he didn’t have one.  The fact that they could produce one gave evidence that, like it or not, they participated in Rome’s commerce and economy.  Jesus’ answer to their question is well known, “Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Exegesis:  Jesus avoided getting caught in their trap.  With this answer, Jesus reminds his questioners that if they are so concerned and careful about paying taxes to the state, they should be much more concerned and careful about their service to God and their obligations to Him as their Creator and Lord. We fulfill our duties to our country by loyally obeying the just laws of the State and working for the welfare of all citizens. We become Heavenly citizens by obeying God’s laws. And God is the supreme authority. Isaiah stresses the absolute supremacy of God through the first reading of today.  Today’s psalm praises, “Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; awesome is he beyond all gods.”

Anecdote: There were some scientists and biologists who thought they had found the secret of life.  And they decided to tell God he was no longer needed.  They said they could create life also.  God said “well, I created life from a hand full of dirt.”  They said we could too.  Then they picked up a handful of dirt and started to show God what they could do.  God said to them, “Wait, just a minute, Create your own dirt.”

Joke: A prosperous farmer was miserly in what he gave to his Church.  So his pastor went to visit him with the hope of getting him to increase his donation.  The pastor pointed out to him that the Lord had given him a fertile piece of land and had blessed him with sunshine and rain so that his crops would grow.  The priest added, “You know, this farm and everything you have is really on loan to you from God.  You should be more grateful.”  The farmer replied, “I don’t mean to complain, Father, but you should have seen what a mess this place was when God was running it by Himself!” 

Practical Applications:  1) “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”: How?  It is the duty of Christians to pay for the services and the privileges that government provides, like paved roads, police and fire departments, banks, schools and other necessities.  If we refuse to pay taxes, how will these needs be fulfilled?  Another way of giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s is to participate actively in the running of the government, electing the most suitable candidates and influencing them through frequent contacts.  Third, we must submit to the civil authorities and respect the laws of our country in order to live in peace.  As loyal citizens we must also see to it that our elected representatives are faithful in maintaining law and order in the country and in promoting the welfare of its citizens without violating God’s laws. 

2) “Give to God what is God’s.” How?  Since everything is God’s, we must give ourselves to Him 100%, not just 10% on Sundays.  We should be generous in fulfilling our Sunday obligations and find time every day for prayer and worship in the family, for the reading of the Bible and the proper training of our children in Faith and morals.   We will soon be invited to make the stewardship pledge of our financial offering to the local Church for the coming year.  Our contribution to the parish church   should be an expression of our gratitude to God, giving back to God all that He has given us.  Active participation in the various ministries of the parish is an offering to God of our time and talents, yet another way of giving to God His due, our whole self.

Twenty Ninth Sunday in OT: Introduction

Message: The Lord is king and there is no other.  We are to render to God, therefore, fitting praise and service, as is God’s due.  God’s word to us, in turn, is a matter of power and strength, to be lived with conviction of heart.

Saints and Events in this Week:  20 – Twentieth – Monday – Saint Paul of the Cross, priest; 22 – Twenty Second – Wednesday – Blessed John Paul II, pope; 23 – Twenty Third – Thursday – Saint John of Capistrano, priest; 24 – Twenty Fourth – Friday – Saint Anthony Mary Claret, bishop; (Announcement: All Saints Day, November First, Saturday next, is not a holy day of obligation this year in USA)