Our Sabbath Scripture Stories – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A

Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

  • Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
  • Matthew 22:15-21

The Sunday morning paper was laid out on the dining room table.  Front page articles screamed out political headlines for the upcoming election.  Full page ads touted each candidate’s credentials.

“Look at this, Dad,” Vincent read.  “This guy says he’s going to cut taxes.  Is that good?”

“Well … ” Mr. Pauline began. But before he could answer, Mary Clare interrupted.  “But this guy says he needs to raise our taxes.  Is that good?”

“Well … ” Mr. Pauline began again.

“Taxes, taxes, taxes!” Mrs. Pauline chuckled.  “People ask if we need them.  How about we see what our Gospel reading for this week has to say about this!”

It was Mrs. Pauline’s turn to go through the Gospel reading for today.  She read the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 22.  When she had finished, she slowly closed her Bible and began.

“Did everyone hear what one of the topics of today’s Gospel reading is?” Mom asked her family.  “It’s taxes!  But an even larger theme is that God is sovereign over all governments, and that the laws of God supersede the laws of man.”

“That’s exactly what I was going to say!” Vincent joked.  He was really more in awe of his mom for putting all those thoughts together.

“Yeah, I hear you say that all the time!” Dad chuckled .

“Mom?” Lucy asked a little sheepishly.  “What did it mean in the reading when it said these guys were trying to trick Jesus?  What kind of trick were they trying to pull?”

“Excellent question, Lucy!” Mom said.  “I’m proud of the close attention you were paying!”

Lucy beamed as Mom continued, “Well, you see, the Pharisees and the Herodians plotted together to discredit, or trick, Jesus.  The Pharisees didn’t want to be put under Roman law, and the Herodians believed in Roman authority.  They joined forces and put Jesus right in the middle.  Then they asked Him the question, ‘Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’  If Jesus would have answered ‘yes,’ the Pharisees would have denounced Him as not being true to God.  If Jesus would have answered ‘no,’ then the Herodians would have denounced Him as not being true to the nation.  So what does Jesus do?”

“Ummmm … ” they all answered with wide eyes, not sure just how to answer.

“Well, I’ll tell you,” Mom chuckled.  “Jesus gives them the perfect answer, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s!’ “

“So neither group tricked Him!” Vincent cheered.

“That’s right, Vincent,” Dad replied.  “Jesus tells them that if civil law tells you that you must pay a tax, then it is your duty to do it.  But, He also tells them to remember that you have a duty to God.  And this duty is undeniable.”

“Like keeping the Commandments and loving your neighbor as yourself,” Mary Clare added.

“Right, Mary Clare!” Dad responded.  “Jesus is telling us that Caesar and God are on two different levels.  If we give God all that He is due, imagine the enormous payment!  But, the payment to Caesar is a bottom-line amount.”

“I just love it every time I hear Jesus give such perfect answers!” Lucy squealed.  “No one can trick Him!  He’s … He’s … God!”

“Well, Kids, talking about tricks … how about a treat!” Dad announced.

“Yeah!” they screamed out together.

“The best treat of any day is worshipping our perfect Lord.  I think we should head off to Holy Mass right now!” Dad told them.

“For … ” Mom started, “We can give Caesar what is Caesar’s … “

And in unison they proclaimed, “But we give God what is God’s!”

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This week, pray for the upcoming elections
and to be better citizens of our country and of the kingdom of God.

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Cycle A, 29 OT, SSSDownload

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