Second Reading: 1 Thes 1:1-5
Gospel: Mt 22:15-21
We are in the Twenty-Ninth
Sunday in ordinary Time. Today also we celebrate the World Mission Sunday. On
this day we specially remember the missionaries around the world who toil
relentlessly for the proclamation of the Gospel message. It is because of their
service that the Catholic Church continues to grow and bear witness. Although
not all listeners accept the proclamation of the missionaries, yet there are
handful of people who welcome the message for what it really is (1 Thes 2:13).
In the second reading St. Paul says that the Thessalonians acceptance of the
good news from his proclamation comes from the grace of God who chose them.
Jesus said; “no one can come to me unless the Father beckons” (Jn 6:44). Yes,
we need to allow the Holy Spirit to move us to receive the message in its whole
truth and totality. For this year’s mission Sunday message His Holiness Pope
Francis has taken from the experience of the disciples on the way to Emmaus.
Those two disciples on the way to Emmaus were able to understand the Scriptures
because of the direct help they received from our Lord. In hearing the
explanation from the Lord their hearts were set on fire. Their experience at
the Eucharistic table moved their feet to proclaim the risen Lord. Thus, we
need the aid of god to set our Hearts on
fire, feet on the move (cf. Lk 24:13-35). This brings us to the first
reading wherein God moves not the hearts of chosen people but a gentile who
knew nothing about YHWH, the god of Israel.
King Cyrus of Persia is
anointed by the Lord. The Lord God Himself says to the gentile king Cyrus, “For
the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I
surname you, though you do not know me.” (Is 45:4). Yes, the Lord beckons the
person to listen to His voice. King Cyrus obeys the Lord and sets the people of
Israel free to go back to their land as well as provides fund to rebuild their
temple. In the Old Testament we have few non-Israelites through whom God acts
and gives His message such as Jethro
(father-in-law of Moses). To liberate the people of Israel from slavery God
beckoned Cyrus, the king of Persia but not Pharaoh, the King of Egypt. This
teaches us that we need to be receptive to God. Had Pharaoh listened to Moses,
today he would be remembered as the greatest gentile king. Fortunately, his
missed that chance.
In the Gospel we have two
rival groups coming together to defeat their common enemy. Pharisees, the Jewish religious group who look forward to the
downfall of Roman Empire and the restoration of the kingdom of David and Herodians, the political group in Judea
who support the Roman Empire and the reign of Herod over Jewish people. These
two factions were always on rivalry. Today they come together to trap Jesus,
their common enemy. Any direct answer to their question about the payment of
tax to romans would keep Jesus as supporter of one faction and enemy towards
the other. In this context, Jesus asks the coin used for paying tax. His remark
to give back the coin that has the image and the title of roman emperor to it’s
proper person and to God what belongs to God calls for a reflection on who we
are. Just as that coin has the image and title of roman emperor, as humans we have
the image of God in ourselves (Gen 1:26). Sons and daughters of God is our title.
Thus, we need to give God what belongs properly to Him (Mt 22:21). Our body and
soul belongs to God. God needs us and nothing else. We always need to bear the
title of sons/daughters of God. As
citizens of the country we have our rights and duties to exercise. They are
good. They are not hindrance for one to give what is his/her due to God. In the
first proclamation Christians followed all the roman laws because the roman
infrastructure and system helped greatly for the vast reach of the Gospel
message. In this regard, St. Paul is the great example who used all the roman
citizenship facilities to take the Gospel to Rome, the head state of Roman
Empire. That’s why he insists on praying for the rulers (1 Tim 2:1-2). In some
places, the demands of the nation forbid one to exercise his/her duty towards
God. In those situations our reactions toward the country and duty may vary.
When Jesus says give to God what belongs to God, He teaches that even the Roman
Emperor belongs to God. Thus, our duty towards nation are not above God’s law.
It is the love of God and neighbour that impels one to work towards building up
a nation. As God’s people we need to care for the earth, all creatures and the
nation. But the impetus behind all those activities should be love for God and
neighbour. Any other motive that compels us toward service of the country may
lead us to selfishness and division.
As we celebrate the mission
Sunday let our hearts be set on fire to understand our belongingness and the
title that we have. With that awareness let our feet be on the move. May God
bless you all!
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