29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A
Sunday, October 22, 2023
The Pharisees were members of the Jewish faith that strictly adhered to both the written and oral laws of Moses and traditions of their forefathers. They were in opposition of Jesus and his followers and had significant influence on the religious and political life of Israel in the time of Christ and into the first century. The Herodians, at that time, were the Jewish political allies of the Romans that were supportive of King Herod and the Herodian dynasty. The Pharisees in this week’s Gospel sent their disciples and Herodians in an attempt to entrap Jesus in His own words. They asked Him: “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” (Matthew 22:17). At the surface, this seems like a simple question that required a yes/no answer. Jesus knew they were plotting to entrap Him. If He answered Yes, it would have enraged the Herodians who would charge him or report Him to the Romans with seditious charges. If He answered No, Jesus would alienate many of His followers who believed that He was bringing the reign of God and resisted the Romans, and the Roman taxation. Knowing their malice, as we continue reading, Jesus shrewdly replied, “repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” (Matthew 22:21).
How do we go forth this week reflecting on this passage from Matthew 22:21? As God’s children, we are accountable to our governments, and to one another. We are also accountable to God for our actions and inactions. Does that mean that we separate God from the world we live in? Do we live life a certain way and keep God privately tucked inside of us and shielded from the rest of our public life? Of course not. God calls us by name because we belong to Him. We live our lives guided by God publicly and privately. Everything comes from God and therefore belongs to God. We have to pay our share of taxes. We have to make right what is wrong. We have to distribute God’s gifts equitably and fairly with everyone. We have to provide for the needs of the poor. We must love and serve one another. This is how we serve God according to the teachings of Jesus.
For the past two weeks we’ve been reading news and seeing images of unspeakable atrocities in the conflict between Palestinian militant groups and Israel. As of this writing, over 1,400 Israelis and 3,000 Palestinians are dead and thousands more wounded or taken hostage during these two weeks. The vast majority of the dead and wounded are civilians including children whose only fault was being born Israeli or Palestinian. Decades of hate, retaliation and vengeance has not brought about peace nor security. Pope Francis calls us to a day of prayer and fasting for peace this Friday, October 27th, 2023. Let us pray for embattled people in every region of the world where conflicts and wars exist today and for their leaders to reject hate and aggression in order to bring peace to our suffering brothers and sisters.
We can’t serve God and hate people.
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.