October 19, 2014

29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-5; Matthew 22: 15-21

I remember being the youngest, and trying to ‘get out of the jobs’ assigned to me. Whatever excuses I tried, I never remember any of them being accepted. My mother would listen and then say ‘do your job’…if dad was present, and mom told me to do something and I hesitated, dad would say, “What did your mother tell you to do”… or… ”what did your mother just say?”…that ended all conversation and even any try for an excuse to get out of ‘my job.’
It seem as I have lived my life I have found more and more people ‘offering excuses’ for not doing what they should. Reasons as…it’s not fair…why me…why doesn’t my brother help…it’s not my job…or the biggie—I won’t do it! (That didn’t work for me and I knew if I even said it, I would be in trouble ‘for life’). So I ask: what excuses do I offer or give to God for not doing something? Even more important, why do I offer these excuses? Why do I engage in a conversation with God to determine what is ‘right or wrong’ for me to do? Once Jesus put an end to such a conversation by asking, “What are the commandments?”
In reality the answers have been given…Sacred Scripture contains a wealth of information and commands that put me on the right track on how to act and how to live. Jesus was very specific in showing me The Way. Am I paying attention not only to what Jesus said, but the life example He lived? Am I seeing that Jesus didn’t give suggestions on how to live but He gave life giving mandates and principles? Do I think that I can pick and choose what is the way a Christian is to live? Do I somehow feel it is up to me? Do I attempt to ‘trap’ God in agreeing that my way is right? All these questions are continuing along the line of the ‘dispute that Matthew shares in the Gospel: The Pharisees produce a Roman coin to Jesus, it has Caesar’s image on it with an inscription. They are trying to humiliate Jesus publicly with their question, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” If Jesus says ‘NO’, the Romans will be more than upset. If Jesus says ‘YES’ then many of the Jewish people will be upset. What is ‘of God’…where is God in my life…is God the center of my life…am I daily or hourly even, showing my love for God? This is really a phony debate but an ATTEMPT, just as I used with my parents, to get out of doing what I didn’t what to do. Even more importantly, it was my ‘job’ to do the chores. Jesus cut to quick: what is really important: paying attention to the things of God! This was at the center of the Jewish faith: everything ultimately belongs to God. This is my faith too…Am I living in this way? I can make up excuses, but the ultimate question is am I living the life and teachings and example of Jesus at each moment of each day? Don’t make excuses.
Sunday Homily Helps: “World events are not only isolated images on a TV news hour. Our spiritual lives are not simply a parallel little world unmoved by the events that surround us. Pope Francis has called us to listen and hear the cries of our world because their cries fashion the shape of our gospel response. They are not merely a bunch of unbelievers from whom we need to separate, but they are the ones whose cries shape our response in grace.”
I can get lost in the coin issue in the Gospel: Is the question, ‘Is it lawful to pay the tax?’ No not really. Jesus asked whose image is on the coin…they said Caesar and Jesus gave the answer, ‘Give to Caesar what belongs to him’. The real shocker is that Jesus continues, “Give to God what belongs to God.” This really was an insult to the Pharisees, they really thought they lived this. Jesus is saying, ‘Well are you living this?’ He’s asking me, ‘Are You living the Way that Jesus taught you?’ God is not forcing me, God is challenging me! God is asking if I’m walking the walk…am I living a life of service? Is my love genuine and unselfish? What is the challenge to me: Am I giving to God what belongs to God? Paul commends the Thessalonians “on their work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus…knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen.” Is Paul describing me? Where do I have to grow? Am I letting the Spirit of God lead me? Is it my way or God’s way?
Patricia Datchuck Sanchez in The Word We Celebrate states ‘it as it is’:

“Instead of legislating on the matter proposed to Him, Jesus refrained from giving pat answers and provided His listeners with a principle, whose application He left to their responsible consciences.

For that reason, it would be an error to seek in this teaching of Jesus justification for any particular theory of church-state relations. Still, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” has been applied as rationale in various and sundry political contexts throughout the centuries: the medieval two-sword theory, the throne-and-altar theology of Lutheran orthodoxy, the separation of church and state in the North American constitution. Yet, in all these applications, there has been an injustice down the original principle given by Jesus. “Give to Caesar,” difficult though it may be, represents the loyalty one owes to temporal authority. But “Give to God” is a challenge which taps not merely our financial resources or political allegiances. “Give to God what is God’s” is a demand with no limitations.

1. To see and accept the hand of God at work in the ‘least likely’ people is a part of responsible believing (Isaiah).
2. One does not join the church as one would a club; one is called to respond to God in faith within a faithful community (Thessalonians).
3. Within the heart of the one totally committed, there are no compartments labelled secular, sacred, church, state. There can be no dichotomy, therefore, in one’s activities. (Matthew).”
   

So I reflect on:

• What are the idols in my life? Power? Comfort? Security? Or anything or anyone who provides these? Addictions too?
• Do I praise God often? Is it only at formal prayer or in church? Enjoying nature, working on environmental issues, speaking the truth, setting a good example and sharing with the poor are ways to give honor to God. Do I do these?
• Do I ‘worship’ popularity, affluence, attractiveness, or physical strength?

Sacred Space 2014 concludes:
”Jesus remains free and firm in face of the plots against Him. I ask for His courage to stand up for what is true and just.
To be a good citizen and to serve God are not in contradiction because God works though all human systems and institutions to build the final community of love. God needs me to help build good relationships wherever I find myself.”