Cycle A - Year II:

18 October 2020: Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5

Gospel: Please Read Matthew 22:15-21

"W belong to God!"

The wise tell us that old age is a privilege denied to those who died young. Indeed, it is, and among the "rare" privilege of being elderly is "dual citizenship". It means, we are citizens of our country, and also "senior citizens" as well. Of course it is a joke among the elderly, but it can also convey a profound truth about "dual citizenship" of humanity.

This leads us to the Gospel incident this Sunday. We will read about our Lord Jesus' encounter with a group of Pharisees who planned to entrap Him in a religious-state issue by asking a "loaded" question: "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?"

Now let us analyze that question. If Jesus answered with a "yes", then He would be supporting the Emperor and thus would lose credibility with the Jewish populace. But if He answered with a "no", which the Pharisees wanted, they would have grounds to report our Lord to the Roman authorities and have Him arrested for treason.

Our Lord Jesus is smarter than they thought. He gives them a profound response instead, which goes far beyond a simple "yes" or "no" answer. So Jesus tells them: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, but give to God what is God's"

Jesus' response is well known among Christians but also the most misunderstood, even in our times. For example, it is used to argue about a complete separation between the Church and the state. But a deeper reflection on the wisdom of our Lord's words will reveal that they are actually complementary to achieve an authentic Christian living. Let us reflect more on this.

Our Lord is reminding us that the state has a legitimate sphere of authority and that as citizens of the world we have an obligation to render to the state whatever material and personal services are required for the common good of society.

But also at the same time Jesus makes it clear that we are citizens not only of the state but also of the kingdom of God. In fact, we belong to God first and foremost. Because God is our first and ultimate authority. It is from God that everyone and everything derives their power. Civil authorities play an important role and are obligued to act with justice in the distribution of goods and services. They have to legislate laws and govern with the greatest respect for the natural law and the rights of people, like the protection of life, the defense of marriage and family, and ensure religious freedom. But the state does not enjoy absolute power and dominion over us.

So then, in today's Gospel proclamation, our Lord Jesus Christ speaks about the right relationship between humanity and God. While we are in journey in this world we may say that we have "dual citizenship", meaning citizens of the world and citizens of God's kingdom. How best do we exercise both that complement each other?

For one, Christians are challenged to be the light and salt in the midst of the world. That means, we are called to transform the environment in which we live so as to make them more pleasing to God the Creator.

When it comes to the fundamental question of social morality, we should be fully aware that our faith serves as a powerful light illuminating the whole of life. In this sense, the teaching of God and His Church are our sure guide for authentic growth and development, and they are not obstacle to human welfare or scientific progress.

Christians are also called to be responsible citizens of the world, helping the state achieve its mission of providing for the common good, spreading love and charity to all, taking care of the environment. Doing so also prepares them to be good citizens of God's kingdom even while still here on earth, by living authentic Christian life, so that as we complete our life's journey we are ready to assume full citizenship in heaven.

In sum, our Lord's mission is to save people from their sin, no matter where they live, what language they speak, what currency they use, or under what kind of government they live. All of these issues are of importance to people in their daily lives, to be sure, and cannot simply be ignored. But what our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated in the exchange in the Gospel incident is that these issues are of little consequence when compared to eternal salvation. In reality, the Church and the state are actually partners in saving "man", both his body and his soul.

The Church also celebrates World Mission Sunday today. We are encouraged to assist the mission of the Church in spreading the Gospel. Let us pray for all missionaries (priests, religious and lay) who labor out of love to continue with evangelizing the world. May the Lord protect them from every harm, especially during this pandemic, and reward their efforts in this world and in the next. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!