Sunday, October 20, 2002
29th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Is 45:1, 4-6
Thus says Yahweh to his anointed, to Cyrus:
I have taken you by the right hand
to subdue nations before you
and strip kings of their armor,
to open the gateways before you
so that they will be closed no more.For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of Israel my chosen one,
I have called you by your name
and given you your mission
although you do not know me.
I am Yahweh, and there is no other;
there is no God besides me.
I armed you when you did not know me,
so that, from the rising
to the setting of the sun,
all may know
that there is no one besides me;
I am Yahweh, and there is no other.
2nd Reading: 1 Thes 1:1-5
From Paul, Sylvanus and Timothy to the church of Thessalonica which is in God the Father and in Christ Jesus, the Lord.
May the peace and grace of God be with you.
We give thanks to God at all times for you and remember you in our prayers. We constantly recall before God our Father the work of your faith, the labors of your love and your endurance in waiting for Christ Jesus our Lord.
We remember, brothers and sisters, the circumstances of your being called. The gospel we brought you was such not only in words. Miracles, Holy Spirit and plenty of everything were given to you.
Gospel:
Mt 22:15-21
The Pharisees went out and took counsel on how they could
trap Jesus with his own words. They then sent their disciples with the
members of Herod's party for this purpose.
They said to Jesus, "Master, we know that you are
an honest man and truly teach God's way; you are not influenced by others
nor are you afraid of anyone. Tell us, then, what you think: is it against
the Law to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
But Jesus understood their evil intent, and said to them,
"Hypocrites! Why are you testing me? Show me the coin with which
you pay the taxes."
They showed him a denarius, and Jesus said to them, "Whose
head is this, and whose name?" They answered, "Caesar's."
Then Jesus replied, "Therefore, return to Caesar what is Caesar's,
and to God what is God's."
Commentary
It has often been said that religion and politics should not mix. Such a remark indicates a narrow understanding of what the Church is. The Church today is concerned not only with the spirituality of people but also their physical and material welfare. To relegate the concerns of the Church to religious rites and sacraments is to deprive the Church of one of its basic functions. When the welfare of people - be it social, economic, political or cultural - is threatened from whatever source, the Church is mandated to intervene. Total salvation includes the liberation of men and women from everything that hinders their growth to fullness of life. This has been articulated in many Church documents.