Twenty-ninth Sunday Gospel Reflections A

Then the Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap him in speech.
We have another confrontational story between the leaders and Jesus.
The question that is posed is intended to back Jesus in a corner. Either he will have to side with the majority of the people who oppose this taxation or he will have to support the Roman authorities. In either case, he will alienate someone.
Notice how Jesus is not interested in pleasing either one, but only God.
They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?"
Do we at times say the right words but we do not mean them? How and when have we been deceptive in our words?
The Pharisees would be opposed to the payment of the tax; the Herodians would be in favor.
Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin.
By the very fact that they were able to show him such a coin in their possession indicate that they were explicitly acknowledging the right of Rome to tax.

He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."
Jesus avoids taking sides. But he raises a more important concern: their debt to God for all he has done for them. Do we sometimes get caught up with less important things and not focus on that which is more important?
Do I give to each that which is due to that person? Do I give to God what belongs to God? This is true justice.
Do I sometimes please human beings rather than God for fear of displeasing them?
What is my attitude when I am rendering to another and to God what is their due? Do I do it grudgingly or with joy and a sense of rightness? Where else do I fall short in following the Word of God?

"We recognize a tree by its fruit, and we ought to be able to recognize a Christian by his action. The fruit of faith should be evident in our lives, for being a Christian is more than making sound professions of faith. It should reveal itself in practical and visible ways. Indeed it is better to keep quiet about our beliefs, and live them out, than to talk eloquently about what we believe, but fail to live by it." (St. Ignatius of Antioch) This is the same concerns the Old Testament prophets and Jesus spoke about in their day. It is the difference between a mere external relationship with God and a truly internal relationship with God that is lived according to his will. Today, there are many who professed to be Christians but in fact are only so on the surface. Jesus put it very clearly: "It is not the one who says Lord, Lord, but the one who does the will of my Father, enters the Kingdom of God."  Let our actions speak louder than our words, lest our words condemn us for lack of action.

Not only do we experience sufferings from the daily situations of life and from the hands of others, there may be times we will be invited and graced by Jesus to suffer for his sake, not because we are special, but because he chooses the weak to confound the strong. Paul refers to this in his letter to the Philippians. "For it is your special privilege to take Christ's part--not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him" (Phil 1:29). In this Paul may have been recalling the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes: "Blest are those persecuted for holiness' sake; the reign of God is theirs. Blest are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of slander against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven; they persecuted the prophets before you in the very same way" (Mt 5: 10-12). What Jesus and Paul alluded to was the experience of the Apostles in Acts. After being threatened and flogged because of their persistence in speaking about Jesus as the Messiah, we read: "The apostles for their part left the Sanhedrin full of joy that they had been judged worthy of ill-treatment for the sake of the Name" (Acts 5:41).

Having so suffered Peter would later exhort others to follow the same pattern. "Do not be surprised, beloved, that a trial by fire is occurring in your midst. It is a test for you, but it should not catch you off guard. Rejoice instead, in the measure that you share Christ's sufferings. When his glory is revealed you will rejoice exultantly. Happy are you when you are insulted for the sake of Christ, for then God's Spirit in its glory has come to rest on you....If anyone suffers for being a Christian...he ought not to be ashamed. He should rather glorify God in virtue of that name....Accordingly, let those who suffer as God's will requires continue in good deeds, and entrust their lives to a faithful Creator" (1 Pet 4:12-19).

Information
Women's Monthly Mass
Saturday, October 14, 2017
8:00am
Bishop Jacob's house
107 Albany Dr.
Houma, La. 70360
Bring a friend
Fellowship afterwards

Jesus went through various trials and difficulties during his human journey, culminating in his arrest, trial and death on the cross. After his baptism in the Jordan and the anointing of the Spirit, he experienced the threefold temptations to satisfy himself, to prove himself and to enhance himself. He was rejected by his own family and townspeople. He was discredited and called a drunkard, glutton and the prince of devils. He was ridiculed by the mourners at the house of Jairus and criticized by the friends of Lazarus. Because of his association with public sinners like prostitutes and tax collectors, his reputation was tainted. He was embarrassed by the apostles.

We too go through many trials and difficulties in our lifetime. These range from the daily temptations of life; personal or family setbacks, misfortunes or tragedies; physical and mental illnesses and diseases; struggling with the limitations of human existence and our own personal limitations; suffering at the hands of others through misunderstanding, false perceptions and verbal abuse; rejection by those we considered friends.

What does the Word of God say to us about these aspects of life?

"There is cause for rejoicing here. You may for a time have to suffer the distress of many trials; but this is so that your faith, which is more precious than the passing splendor of fire-tried gold, may by its genuineness lead to praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ appears" (1 Pet 1:6-7). "My brothers, count it pure joy when you are involved in every sort of trial. Realize that when your faith is tested this makes for endurance. Let endurance come to its perfection so that you may be fully mature and lacking in nothing" (Jas 1:2-4). "When a man can suffer injustice and endure hardship through his awareness of God's presence, this is the work of grace in him....If you put up with suffering for doing what is right, this is acceptable in God's eyes. It was for this you were called, since Christ suffered for you in just this way and left you an example, to have you follow in his footsteps" (1 Pet 2: 19-21).