To Speak Up Or To Remain Silent?

    

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

22 October 2023

 

First Reading: Is 45:1, 4-6

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10

Second Reading: 1 Thes 1:1-5b

Gospel: Mt 22:15-21

 

Reflection

By: Anton B. Ocampo

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). These words of Christ in response to the test of the Pharisees in today's Gospel are used by the opponents of the Church, especially those who are very loyal supporters of very famous and controversial politicians, to support what is known as “separation of Church and state.” For them, it means that the Church should stick to prayer and reflecting on the Word of God which is the Bible and stay quiet in topics and issues relating to politics and government. 

However, is that what the Lord Jesus meant when He said those words in response to the Pharisees who tried to test and trap Him? Did Jesus mean that the Church should remain silent on various issues relating to politics and government? Should the Church just keep quiet in the face of evils like corruption, injustice, and murder? What did the Lord Jesus Christ mean when He uttered “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” in the Sunday Gospel? 

In the First Reading, it is stated that it was the will of the Lord God that Cyrus was anointed king. God Himself gave Cyrus the power and authority to rule and lead. As stated in the Responsorial Psalm: “Give the Lord glory and honor” (Psalm 96:7b). If not for God, leaders such as Cyrus would not have power and authority as kings and rulers. This also stresses the fact that the one true king is none other than the Lord. Only the Lord God reigns supreme forever. Not a single ruler or leader in this world will possess the withstand or even match up to God because their leadership is only temporary while God’s leadership and kingship is forever. This is the truth that Saint Paul the Apostle, Timothy, and Silvanus proclaimed to the Thessalonian Christians in the Second Reading. Besides, Saint Paul the Apostle also highlighted the fact that they were just instruments that God used to introduce Himself to the Thessalonian Christians, as stated in the end of the Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 1:5b). 

What is the lesson being taught to us today? Respecting government leaders is very important. However, our respect for them should not make us blind and deaf to the fact that they are human and not gods. If our admiration and respect for leaders in this world has caused us to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the different injustices in our communities and society, then that is no longer respect but worship that is completely blind and deaf. By doing this, we have replaced the Lord God and denied Him the things that He deserves. Once this happens, we will indeed have a problem that is very serious. 

Our responsibility as the one true Church is to offer worship, glory, and praise to the one true God by faith and works. We fail our mission and duty as the one true Church if, as the ones who form it, remain silent in the different faces of injustice in our communities and societies like corruption and murder. Because of our failure to fulfill our mission and duty as the one and true Church that Christ Jesus Himself established, which is to offer Him worship, glory, praise, and honor, we would fail Him. Why? Because by remaining silent in the different faces of injustice, we have chosen another god. 

Prayer

Lord, You know our frailties and weaknesses as humans. Strengthen us, O Lord, so that we may be able to fulfill our mission and responsibility as Your Church to give You praise, glory, and worship by speaking out against injustices and living a life of holiness, just as You will. Amen. 

God and Country

" Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth. "

First Reading 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 men may know that there is none besides me. I am the LORD, there is no other.

Resp. Psalm: 96:1 , 3-5, 7-9

Second Reading 1Thessalonians 1:1-5

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 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. You know what sort of people we were (among) you for your sake.

Gospel Mt 22:15-2

Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him adenarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”

Reflection
By Patty De la Rosa-Paat
 

From this scenario, the Pharisees tried to discredit Jesus in the eyes of the people by laying a trap and maliciously asked him if it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not. Jesus is aware about their cleverness if He answer them in negative manner then He will be reported to the Roman officers for disloyalty. But He intellectually responded by saying “ Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”(Caesar means Emperor).

“ Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” From there we can fully understand the concept of separation of CHURCH and STATE. Citizens must pay taxes, it was not forbidden by God. It is lawful to pay taxes for the common good of the society.

Taxes are necessary for all legitimate expenses of the State, it serves many functions. Taxation benefits the citizens. It was implemented by the authorities for the common goal. It was used for social welfare, provided public services, jobs, education etc., economic infrastructure, ensuring health benefits and it was used to legislate and govern with the greatest respect for the natural law and the rights of people and so paying taxes are really important.

“ Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s “ It is broad in meaning because Jesus is not only referring to the obligation of the people to pay their taxes but it explains that, people should be a law-bider. The constituted government implemented law and this law should not violate the law of God. The authorities have the right to implement law but this law must protect the interests of the individuals. Citizens of the country must be legally and morally guided and the individual rights and freedom should be given accordingly.

“ Render to God the things that are God’s.” And our greatest duty is to love God with all our being. Keep His commandments and make Him our priority. These are our duties to God. For God is good, He is a loving God who has given us everything.

And remember God gave us free will. Free will is a God’s grace. He allows us to enjoy this freedom. A freedom to live, to learn, to love, to choose and to run our lives the way we want it to. It is God-given ability to all mankind to hear His call, to response from it and to know His will for us. But we should understand that freedom is associated with responsibility we should be responsible in everything we do and say.

And this is how the church helps us to grow spiritually. The church was called a society founded by Christ in New Testament. It is also called the mystical body of Christ. Here, our Christian life began after receiving the sacrament of baptism and other sacraments. Remember, in every sacrament we receive a particular grace.

Church and State are perfect societies. Obedience to God’s commandments implies our personal love and commitment to Him. As we love and obey God it attributes our behavior to our society. We are becoming a good citizen who respects laws and those in authorities. Thereon, we will be able to contribute for general welfare, through good deeds and by exercising personal responsibility and participating in public services for the good of others. This is what Jesus is teaching us…..To serve God and to serve others the best that we can.

Father in heaven, we are here to pray not only for ourselves but for our country as well. We ask You Lord to guide our leaders. Guide them gently to the right decisions. Help us in our national crisis and give us courage and strength for us to bravely face the burden that has been placed to our shoulders. Allow us all to come together as one nation and lead us to the path of righteousness. You are the source of life and the keeper of our soul. Teach us to love and respect each other. May we stand firm as we pray for all mankind. Amen