29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My brothers and sisters, it’s like God picked these readings for this election season. Of course, they were selected by the Holy Spirit, and I’m not sure we could find better readings for our consideration!

In the Gospel today, Jesus says to those sent to trap him, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21). There is a lot of meaning there for us! First, citizens are called to cast a ballot no matter how distasteful you find politics or disappointed with the process you feel. Our vote, in a way, is us rendering onto Caesar. Of course, this example overly simplifies politics, but I think it’s fair to say this is one way to look at it.

Second, we should be active in the process. It’s our obligation as citizens of faith to bring our tradition’s wisdom and to influence positive changes. There is a danger in engaging Caesar’s world. The risk is that we get sucked into the quest to wield power and influence. But as we discussed in All Things Catholic on October 7th, our bishops suggest that “We should not let the party transform us in such a way that we neglect or deny fundamental moral truths or approve intrinsically evil acts.” <1>

From my perch outside the United States, I see so much division in the country – even in our parishes. That’s painful to watch. Our divisions run deep. Why? Perhaps it’s because many of us have been sucked into the parties. Maybe people are being transformed by the parties and not the other way around.

Look, we’re Christian first. We have to be Christians first. No political candidate will stand with you or me on judgment day. We will be held accountable for how we spent our time on this third rock from the sun. The minute we can’t agree to disagree – the minute we can’t stand to be in the company of our brothers and sisters because of their politics – is the day we should recognize that something is terribly, terribly wrong.

We Catholics are Christians and our first and second readings give us some insight we should be mindful of. In our first reading from Isaiah, we hear that we are each of us called by our names (Isaiah 45:4). We are not called by our political affiliations. We are not called because our candidate is pro-anything. We are not called because of the size of our bank accounts or our retirement balances or the car we drive. We are called because we are created in the image and likeness of God. Period.

Our Catholic faith teaches us that being created in the image and likeness of God means we have a certain dignity. No one can take that away from us. No vote we’ve cast – no party we’ve supported. No one can take away our dignity if – if we reconcile ourselves with God. In six weeks, we begin Advent – a great time to be reconciled!

Paul reminds us that we were chosen. You were chosen. I was chosen (1 Thessalonians 1:4). That means you are worthy. How is this possible? Paul tells us that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we were set apart. We are not supposed to live our lives on the hamster wheel, chasing fortune and glory. We were chosen to help build the Kingdom of God right here, right now.

Paul says that Spirit came with much conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Do you feel convicted? Do you feel that you every fiber of your being is vibrating with the love of Jesus Christ for you and for everyone you encounter? When you look at yourself in the mirror, who do you see? Do you see yourself like Mother Teresa or more like a Wall Street tycoon? It’s easy to get caught up in the energy of chasing the next dollar, but I suggest to you that instead of chasing that which is Caesar’s, wouldn’t we be better off pausing every now and then and allowing God’s grace to rain down upon us and so that we can use this grace to reach out with love to make this a better world?

Homework! Inspired by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.
1. During this election cycle, have I lost my temper and blown up at anyone instead trying to have a conversation?
2. Can I promote the attitude “agree to disagree” as a small way of promoting peace and justice?

I think doing our homework will help us right our course away from Caesar and back toward Jesus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

Notes:
Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
<1> United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States, (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2020), no. 14. Adobe Digital Editions PDF.

References:
1. Eubank, Nathan. First and Second Thessalonians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2019. Kindle.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Participation in the social sphere, 1897-1917
2. Duties of citizens, 2238-2244

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101820.cfm
Lectionary: 145

Reading 1
Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus,
whose right hand I grasp,
subduing nations before him,
and making kings run in his service,
opening doors before him
and leaving the gates unbarred:
For the sake of Jacob, my servant,
of Israel, my chosen one,
I have called you by your name,
giving you a title, though you knew me not.
I am the LORD and there is no other,
there is no God besides me.
It is I who arm you, though you know me not,
so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun
people may know that there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, there is no other.

Responsorial
Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10
R. (7b) Give the Lord glory and honor.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.
For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.
Worship the LORD, in holy attire;
tremble before him, all the earth;
say among the nations: The LORD is king,
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.

Reading 2
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5B
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians
in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
grace to you and peace.
We give thanks to God always for all of you,
remembering you in our prayers,
unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love
and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ,
before our God and Father,
knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God,
how you were chosen.
For our Gospel did not come to you in word alone,
but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.

Alleluia
Philippians 2:15D, 16A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world
as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Matthew 22:15-21
The Pharisees went off
and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying,
“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion,
for you do not regard a person’s status.
Tell us, then, what is your opinion:
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
Knowing their malice, Jesus said,
“Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
Show me the coin that pays the census tax.”
Then they handed him the Roman coin.
He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?”
They replied, “Caesar’s.”
At that he said to them,
“Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.”

Share this:

Leave a ReplyCancel reply