From the Pastor – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
From the Pastor – 29 th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The last line of today’s Gospel Reading from St. Matthew contains one of the more well known of Jesus’ quotes. When asked a bit of a trick question by the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Jesus responds by asking them whose image is on their Roman coins, to which they respond simply “Caesar’s.”
Jesus’ response to their reply is known to most of us, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” The Lord’s answer is far more perceptive than we might think, and it gives another message to us, one we must always remember. If we are followers of Christ, and if we work to be His disciple, the Lord might ask us, “Whose image is on your soul?” We have learned in the First Chapter of Genesis that God created us in His image.
The coin may be stamped with Caesar’s image, but each of us is stamped with God’s image. Thus, Jesus is implying that the coin may be Caesar’s but each of us belongs to God. In that regard we should be striving to be all those things to which Jesus called us.
That is in effect what a stewardship way of life is — recognizing that God is in each of us, we are to place ourselves in service to God and to one another. That is what is really meant by “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
Pastoral Pondering
I am most appreciative of those who have responded to the various requests I have made for feedback concerning various suggestions arising from the survey. Both the Sunday allowance for Faith Formation and the elimination of second collections received positive feedback. I am certainly still happy to receive further comments.
As I am writing this, the world is celebrating the 100 th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima. We had a beautiful day with the pilgrim statute blessed by Pope Francis that began with an All School Mass and consecration of the parish and school to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The school children did a wonderful job welcoming Our Lady.
As the anniversary approached, a lot of folks expressed worry and even fear regarding the world and what might happen. There have been a lot of apocalyptic expectations for a while now; especially, in light of the myriad natural disasters that have been happening all over the world. During times like these, I think it is important to remember Jesus’ words to His disciples in Matthew 25:13, “Therefore, keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour."
No one can predict when the end will come. People have tried for millennia without success. I still remember the frenzy that preceded the beginning of the year 2000, a frenzy that approached like a lion and passed like a lamb. Jesus’ point in the Gospel is very simple. You and I are called to be faithful at all times and to live in hopeful expectation of the coming of the Lord. Being fearful and full of anxiety is not of God. Certainly we can look at the world and world events and realize that through these things God is certainly reminding us of the fragility of life and calling us to be more watchful. At the same time our response, especially to the natural disasters, should also be one of compassion, charity and fervent prayer.
I’ll close with the words of Luke 12:32 which I always turn to when things seem a bit darker than usual. It is a good place to turn when you need a little extra encouragement in the midst of the trials and tribulations that surround us. “Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Be at peace and know that there is not a hair on your head that is not noticed by our good and gracious God.