Catechism Links[1]
CCC 1897-1917: Participation in the social sphere
CCC 2238-2244: Duties of citizens
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| “Portrait of a Man with a Roman Coin” by Hans Memling, 1480 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
Commentary on Is 45:1, 4-6
Setting the scene for this passage, we must understand that the author writes from the Babylonian exile. Cyrus, a great Babylonian general who changes the nature of the conquering rule of the kingdom from one focused on taking the spoils of the captors to a more benevolent despotic one, is in this passage elevated to king. In the remarkable statement: “I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not,” we are told that, without violating Cyrus’ free will and despite the fact that he was not of the Hebrew people, God called him to be part of his plan of salvation.
The prophet goes on to echo God’s voice saying that he (God) alone directs the destiny of mankind, and only through his power can salvation, the promised reward, come.
CCC: Is 45:5-7 304
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10
R. (7b) Give the Lord glory and honor.
Commentary on Ps 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10
This song of praise exhorts the people to praise the Lord for his wondrous works of creation. The reason for this exhortation is that God will come to rule the earth with his justice. In this passage we see the forerunner of the understanding of the New Jerusalem – the Heavenly Kingdom
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Reading II: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
Commentary on 1 Thes 1:1-5b
This is the introduction of St. Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. It is also the first mention by St. Paul of the three “theological virtues,” Faith, Love, and Hope. The Apostle calls the Thessalonians to these virtues supported by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
“Paul recalls the time he first spent with his readers. What stands out in his mind are the theological virtues that changed their lives: in faith they abandoned their idols and embraced the living God (1:9); in hope they endured suffering and expressed longing for the final salvation that Jesus will bring when he returns (1:10; 5:9); and in love they served one another in generous and sacrificial ways (4:9-10). These will protect them like armor in the challenging days ahead (e:8).”[5]
CCC: 1 Thes 1:10 442
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Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21
Commentary on Mt 22:15-21
St. Matthew describes this incident between Jesus and the Pharisees (with support of those who followed King Herod – Herodians who were fiercely loyal to Rome
The Lord finds the trap and avoids it by using the coin’s (graven) image of a false god to be paid to that god. At the same time he encouraged the Hebrew faithful to provide the necessary sacrifices and tithes to the temple.
CCC: Mt 22:21 2242
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Reflection:
What Jesus does not tell the Herodians and the Pharisees directly in St. Matthew’s account of their encounter might go something like this: “Oh, and even what you give to Caesar will somehow end up furthering God’s ultimate plan.” This last statement comes out of our understanding of the first reading from Isaiah.
While the Hebrews were undergoing the great Diaspora (their exile), Cyrus, a great general and founder of the Persian Empire, was elevated to the throne of Babylon
When we pause to consider God’s revelation as we look at the past, we marvel in wonder at his subtlety. He moves things on a scale unimaginable, in ways only later discovered as we see his creation change and transform under his creating hands.
Given how much awe and majesty he displayed in human history, as exemplified by his choice of Cyrus, we can be amused at the Pharisees and the Herodians who are trying to trick God’s Only Son, Jesus, into contradicting either Jewish or Roman Law with their question. We marvel at the Lord’s restraint as he easily dodged their traps, at the same time furthering his own revelation of God’s intent.
First the Lord rebuked them for their hypocrisy. (They had just uttered all kinds of insincere flattery to him trying to lull him into a prideful answer.) He then proceeded to bring them close to falling into their own trap asking them whose image and inscription were on the Roman coin used to pay the tax. Although scripture does not tell us, it must have been the Herodians who answered this part since the possession of such coins by the scrupulous Pharisees would have been seen as blasphemous. In his response, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God" Jesus at once rejects Caesar’s claim to divinity and at the same time supports Mosaic Law, defusing the potential trap by the Pharisees.
All of this leads us to marvel today at God’s wisdom and power. It also drives us to be vigilant for the signs of God’s presence in our own lives and those of others, even others who do not know him. The Lord is indeed marvelous in his ways.
Pax
In other years on this date: optional Memorial for Saint John Paul II, Pope with reading taken from the Common of Pastors.
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[2] The picture used today is “Portrait of a Man with a Roman Coin” by Hans Memling, 1480
[4] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[5] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. pp.373
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