Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Is 45:1, 4-6, 1 Th 1:1-5b, Mt 22:15-21
Today’s readings insist that we must be aware that God is at work even in politicians and in those who govern countries. God is truly almighty and is able to bring about good in every situation—even when we or those who govern resist His Word. Always we are called by the Scriptures to acknowledge that God is truly God and all powerful and in charge of all that happens. Such a view of our world does not leave out our own self will by which we choose either to follow the word of God or to reject that word.
The first reading today is from the Prophet Isaiah. This passage tells of the presence of the God of Israel in the life of Cyrus. There are many references to Cyrus in the Old Testament because it was under Cyrus that the Babylonian Captivity came to an end and the Jewish people were able to return to their own land and rebuild the temple. What is important in this reading is that it is God who is acting through Cyrus. Even non-Jewish—and later even non-Christian—rulers can be and are used by the Lord God to bring about His will and His plans.
The motivation of the Pharisees and Herodians in questioning Jesus about the legality of paying taxes to Caesar was quickly exposed by Jesus’ response: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are the Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Matthew 22:21). As Citizens of the empire, they owed the emperor allegiance but, first and foremost, they owed God allegiance, for “there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13: 1).
As adopted children of our heavenly Father, we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom. We are called and chosen to be holy people, set apart for God’s praise and glory (Eph 1: 4-6) The Father wants us to share his divine life now as well as in eternity, to develop and intimacy of relationship with him, speaking with him in prayer and hearing from him through his word. We are gifted with the high dignity of being made in God’s image and likeness (Gen 1:27). We have received a privileged citizenship and, a call to extend God’s kingdom on earth.
This is why, even as a people set apart, we need to see the importance of public affairs. ‘The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council taught: “The Church regards as worth of praise and consideration the work of those who, as a service to others, dedicate themselves to the welfare of the state and undertake the burdens of this task” (On the Church in the Modern World, 75). Followers of Christ are called to bring an authentic Christian voice to governmental and political affairs.
As Christians can sometimes be faced with a real dilemma. How to be Christian in a secular world where the laws may often be unchristian. However, true Christians will strive to be good citizens of their country, and at the same time good citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. They will fail neither in their duty to God nor to their fellow men and women.
But as Christians our first and deepest loyalty is to God. To God alone we render worship, but in other things we gladly acknowledge and serve the secular powers, praying that they will rule wisely and justly.
Peace and All good!
Fr. Valery Burusu
Parochial Administrator