Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
‘Render to God the things that are God’s'
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Our readings today leave us in no doubt that, as the Creator of all, there is only one God, who rules over everything on earth.
In the First Reading we hear Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the pagan king, Cyrus, who, with God’s help, will conquer nations, return the Jewish people to their homeland, and restore the greatness of Jerusalem. Through his actions, people around the whole world will know that God is Lord of all nations.
The Psalm invites us to sing of the power and glory of God. As in the First Reading, we are exhorted to tell others that the Lord is king, praising him above all else.
St Paul (Second Reading) writes to the developing Christian community in Thessalonica. He reminds them – and us – that we are chosen and loved by God. We know God not just through words, but also by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel we see Jesus neatly avoiding the trap set for him by those who seek to discredit him. Pointing out Caesar’s image on a coin, he tells them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’
In the week ahead, we pray for all those who are in positions of leadership around the world. We ask that God will steer and guide them to seek justice and fairness for all people.
Here’s a text if you’ve only got a minute …
To you I call; for surely you will heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Entrance Antiphon
I call you by your name … I am the Lord First Reading
O sing a new song to the Lord; Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Psalm
Further Reflection
First Reading Isaiah 45: 1, 4–6
This part of the Book of Isaiah was written as the captivity of the Israelites in Babylon was coming to an end in the mid sixth century BC. The Jewish people had been forced into exile following the cruel destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. But now Isaiah includes a startling prophecy about Cyrus the Great (d. 530 BC), the pagan king of Persia, who will allow the people of God to return to their homeland, along with a commission to rebuild the Temple. As Nicholas King SJ points out in his commentary to The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated (2013), ‘Israel’s unique God is utterly powerful, able to do things that they had never thought of; therefore it is possible that God can work through unbelieving people like Cyrus’.
‘Thus says the Lord …’ These words (45: 1) follow on from the preceding verse (44: 28), where Cyrus is first mentioned : ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’. (‘Shepherd’ is a standard Middle Eastern image for a king.)
‘… to his anointed, to Cyrus’ Now the Lord addresses his words to Cyrus, calling him ‘his anointed’. The Hebrew word mashiakh was a title reserved for Davidic kings, as well as some prophets and priests. It has become ‘Messiah’ in English. The Greek translation is Christos, which has given us the word Christ.
‘… whose right hand I have grasped’ The Lord will support Cyrus, who will not only release the Jews from captivity but also help with the rebuilding of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. Cyrus will be given all he needs to succeed in this revolution in the Middle East, for the sake of Israel.
‘Though you do not know me …’ Though Cyrus is a pagan ruler who does not acknowledge the God of Israel, he seems to have practised religious tolerance throughout his empire. It is likely that he followed Zoroaster, the monotheistic prophet, which may have given him greater sympathy for the one true God of the Israelites.
Gospel Matthew 22:15-21
The Pharisees have been the target of Jesus’s previous teachings, and are keen to keep to the truce they have reached with Rome which allows them to practise their religion freely. In this passage they seek unlikely allies in the Herodians to try and entrap Jesus.
The Herodians As their name implies, they are supporters of the dynasty of Herod, the puppet kings Rome has appointed to rule Galilee. They are absolutely loyal to Rome.
The Trap: ‘Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ This is a no-win question. If Jesus says yes, he loses popular support; if he says no, he gives the Pharisees grounds to have him arrested as a revolutionary.
The taxes A census tax had been collected since the year 6 AD, paid by men and women between the ages of 14 and 65. Paying one’s taxes was a kind of tribute to Rome.
One denarius This was the Roman currency, worth about a day’s wages. Striking your own money was a sign of sovereignty over a people and the Romans attached great importance to this symbol. Other currencies were in circulation at the time, but only with Roman permission.
‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God’ Jesus defuses the debate by this answer. There is no doubt that the coins belong to Caesar: his face is on them, but then what belongs to God? The Jews will have been familiar with phrases like: The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. (Psalm 24: 1).
Over the years, the disciples came to understand the necessity and the rationale of dealing with civil authorities and with the authority of God (Romans 13: 1–7 and 1 Peter 2: 13–17).
For further prayer and reflection see the 'Our Prayer Life' page.
To aid our reflection on the Sunday readings each week we are reproducing, with permission content from St Bueno's outreach.
if you would like to know more about them or access their guided prayer resources, 'prego', you can contact them via their website
Almighty and ever-living God,
Our source of power and inspiration,
Give us strength and joy in serving you as followers of Christ.
Old Opening Prayer