Cycle A - Year 1:

22 October 2017: Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

Gospel:Please Read Matthew 22:15-21

The Christian challenge!

To reach the age of elderly is a blessing because of the rare privilege of "dual citizenship". It means the elderly are citizens of their country and "senior citizens" as well. Of course, it is meant as a joke, but it also conveys a profound truth about "dual citizenship" of humanity.

That is the key to our reflection on the Gospel message for this Sunday.

Our Lord Jesus encounters a group of Pharisees who planned to trap Him in a religious-state issue by asking a "loading" question: "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Ceasar or not?"

Here's the catch: If Jesus answered "yes" He would appear supporting the Emperor and thus would lose credibility with the Jewish populace. If He answered "no" the Pharisees would have grounds to report Him to Roman authorities and have Him arrested for treason.

Our Lord was smarter that they thought. He gave them a profound response instead, which goes far beyond a simple "yes" or "no" answer. Jesus tells them: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, but give to God what is God's".

These well-known words of our Lord are also the most misunderstood, even in our times. It is used, for example, to argue for a complete separation between the state and the Church. But a deeper reflection on the wisdom of our Lord's words will reveal that the Church and state are really complementary, or partners if you wish, to achieve an authentic Christian living. Let us see how.

On the one hand, Jesus reminds us that the state has a legitimate sphere of authority and that, as citizens of the world, we have an obligation to render to the state whatever material and personal services are required for the common good of society.

But also Jesus makes it clear that we are citizens not only of the state but also of the kingdom of God. Matter of fact, we belong to God first and foremost. Because God is our first and ultimate authority. It is from God that everyone and everything derives their power and authority. Thus, the state does not enjoy absolute power and dominion over us. Rather, civil authorities are obliged to act with justice in the distribution of goods and services. They have to legislate laws and govern with greatest respect for the natural law and the rights of people, like protection of life, the defense of marriage and family, and ensure religious freedom.

In sum, our Lord Jesus Christ speaks about the right relationship between humanity and God. While we are in journey in this world we can say that we have "dual citizenship", meaning citizens of the world and citizens of God's kingdom. How do we exercise both that complement each other?

Well, Christians are challenged to be the light and salt in the midst of the world. Because we live in our material world. But we are also called to transform the environments in which we live so as to make them more pleasing to God. For in the end, even that which "belongs to Caesar" really belongs to God. For God is the author of Creation.

When it comes to the fundamental question of social morality, we should be fully aware that our faith serves as a powerful light illuminating the whole of life. In this sense, the teachings of God and His Church are our sure guide for authentic growth and development, and they are not obstacle to human welfare or scientific progress.

Thus, Christians are challenged to be responsible citizens of the world, helping the state achieve its mission of providing for the common good, spreading love and charity to all, taking care of the environments. Doing so also prepares them to be good citizens of God's kingdom while still here on earth, by living authentic Christian life, so that as we complete our life's journey we are ready to assume full citizenship in heaven. Because our final and only destiny, is with God.

The Church also celebrates World Mission Sunday today. Let us support the mission with our material contributions. Let us, foremost, pray for all missionaries (priests, religious and lay) who labor out of love to continue with evangelizing the world. May the Lord protect them from every harm and reward their efforts and sacrifices in this world with a blissful life with God in the next. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle A - Year 1:  

22 October 2017:  Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

Second Reading:   1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

Gospel:Please Read  Matthew 22:15-21

The Christian challenge!

 To reach the age of elderly is a blessing because of the rare privilege of "dual citizenship".  It means the elderly are citizens of their country and "senior citizens" as well. Of course, it is meant as a joke, but it also conveys a profound truth about "dual citizenship" of humanity.

That is the key to our reflection on the Gospel message for this Sunday.

Our Lord Jesus encounters a group of Pharisees who planned to trap Him in a religious-state issue by asking a "loading" question: "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Ceasar or not?"

Here's the catch: If Jesus answered "yes" He would appear supporting the Emperor and thus would lose credibility with the Jewish populace. If He answered "no" the Pharisees would have grounds to report Him to Roman authorities and have Him arrested for treason.

Our Lord was smarter that they thought. He gave them a profound response instead, which goes far beyond a simple "yes" or "no" answer. Jesus tells them: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, but give to God what is God's".

These well-known words of our Lord are also the most misunderstood, even in our times. It is used, for example, to argue for a complete separation between the state and the Church. But a deeper reflection on the wisdom of our Lord's words will reveal that the Church and state are really complementary, or partners if you wish, to achieve an authentic Christian living. Let us see how.

On the one hand, Jesus reminds us that the state has a legitimate sphere of authority and that, as citizens of the world, we have an obligation to render to the state whatever material and personal services are required for the common good of society.

But also Jesus makes it clear that we are citizens not only of the state but also of the kingdom of God. Matter of fact,  we belong to God first and foremost. Because God is our first and ultimate authority. It is from God that everyone and everything derives their power and authority. Thus, the state does not enjoy absolute power and dominion over us. Rather, civil authorities are obliged to act with justice in the distribution of goods and services. They have to legislate laws and govern with greatest respect for the natural law and the rights of people, like protection of life, the defense of marriage and family, and ensure religious freedom.

In sum, our Lord Jesus Christ speaks about the right relationship between humanity and God. While we are in journey in this world we can say that we have "dual citizenship", meaning citizens of the world and citizens of God's kingdom. How do we exercise both that complement each other?

Well, Christians are challenged to be the light and salt in the midst of the world. Because we live in our material world. But we are also called to transform the environments in which we live so as to make them more pleasing to God. For in the end, even that which "belongs to Caesar" really belongs to God. For God is the author of Creation.

When it comes to the fundamental question of social morality, we should be fully aware that our faith serves as a powerful light illuminating the whole of life. In this sense, the teachings of God and His Church are our sure guide for authentic growth and development, and they are not obstacle to human welfare or scientific progress.

Thus, Christians are challenged to be responsible citizens of the world, helping the state achieve its mission of providing for the common good, spreading love and charity to all, taking care of the environments. Doing so also prepares them to be good citizens of God's kingdom while still here on earth, by living authentic Christian life, so that as we complete our life's journey we are ready to assume full citizenship in heaven. Because our final and only destiny, is with God.

The Church also celebrates World Mission Sunday today. Let us support the mission with our material contributions. Let us, foremost, pray for all missionaries (priests, religious and lay) who labor out of love to continue with evangelizing the world. May the Lord protect them from every harm and reward their efforts and sacrifices in this world with a blissful life with God in the next. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam! 

Cycle A - Year 1:  

15 October 2017:  Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Isaiah 25:6-10a

Second Reading:   Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20

Gospel:Please Read  Matthew 22:1-14

Come to the heavenly feast!

What comes to mind... when you think of a wedding feast?  I googled it and got pictures of plenty of food, a great celebration, important festivities. It's a celebration of life, a toast to friendship, a union of love. Happy festivity is the central theme.

In this Sunday's Gospel story, our Lord Jesus uses the event of a wedding feast in order for His listeners to understand better how God invites us to the heavenly home. One of the most beautiful images of heaven in the Scriptures is the banquet and wedding celebration given by the king for his son.

Here's the Gospel story in brief: The king gave a wedding feast for his son. In the first round of invitations, there is a select set of invited guests. The invitations were sent out well in advance so the guests would have plenty of time to prepare for coming to the feast. But none wanted to come.

In the second round of invitations, everyone this time is invited, the "bad and the good alike" along the main roads of the kingdom. The second round of invitation is clearly undeserved, unmerited favor and kindness from the king. But the invitation also contains a warning for those who refuse it or who approach the wedding feast improperly.

The parable story concludes with the king finding one guest who was not properly dressed in a wedding garment. He had that guest bound and "cast him into the darkness outside."

What can a royal wedding party tells us about the kingdom of God?

Well, God invites all of us to His Son's wedding banquet.  If you wish, we can say that a foretaste of this banquet is the Eucharist at Holy Mass, and the perfection of this banquet is in heaven with the Lord Himself. Many have been invited to this feast and yet many also refuse to respond to the invitation.

And those who decided to come, they must heed the warning of the parable. Just because everyone is invited to the wedding it does not mean that everyone gets to stay for the celebration. The message of the story is clear that we have to be properly disposed for the banquet, and if we are not prepared, we will not eat of the feast. As Christians, are we dressed properly for the feast, clothed in the garment of righteousness?

So then, how do we prepare ourselves for the banquet at Holy Mass and in heaven? Is our wedding garment clean, meaning to say, unstained by serious sin? Are we wearing the right kind of garment at all, that is to say, do we "clothe yourself in Christ" by keeping God's commandments (as St. Paul wrote in Galatians 3:27)?

God invites all to His banquet that we may share in His joy. The call to holiness is made to everyone. It is a call to realize that we are invited to become children of the Father, and presented with a great banquet to which all are invited.

We must be ready and willing to respond to God's invitation, but we must be in the right wedding garment, that is to say, free from the stain of sin, wearing a purity of heart as a condition to be able to appear before God, when we feast at the Lord's banquet table.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!