Twenty-Ninth Sunday of the Year October 22, 2023
In his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy,
the newly-elected President of the United States, gave the famous challenge:
“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you
can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. Finally,
whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here
the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a
good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our
deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking God’s blessing and His
help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”
If we personalized Kennedy’s statement it would read, “Don’t
ask, ‘What can my country do for me?’ Instead ask, ‘What can I do for my
country?’” And add, “Don’t ask, ‘What can God do for me?’ Instead ask, ‘What
can I do for God?’” Today’s Gospel lesson gives the correct answer.
Prophet Isaiah who lived in Babylonia with the exiled Jews
tells them in God’s name that their God is the God not only of the Jews but of
history and of the whole world. Cyrus, who had become the king of Medes and
Persians, later extended his rule over Syria, Babylon and Egypt. He was a
benevolent king and according to Isaiah, the achievements of Cyrus were all due
to the power of the Lord God of Israel.
Cyrus the great acted in accordance with his usual enlightened practice
of not imposing Persian culture even on captured peoples like other
monarchs. He released the Jews from
captivity, sent them home and subsidized their rebuilding of the Temple in
Jerusalem. Cyrus was indeed God’s chosen
instrument from the beginning of his rule. Did Cyrus know to give to God what
God deserved?
The response of Jesus challenges us to consider the
distinction between our worldly obligations and our spiritual ones. It calls us
to recognize that we do have responsibilities in this world, including paying
taxes and abiding by the laws of our society. These are necessary for
maintaining order and justice. However, Jesus also reminds us that we must
never forget our ultimate allegiance to God.
So, what are the things that belong to God? The answer is
everything! Our entire lives, our very existence, and all that we possess
ultimately belong to God. We are created in His image and bear His inscription
upon our hearts and souls. This means that our primary responsibility is to
give ourselves completely to God, to love Him with all our hearts, and to seek
His will in everything we do.
In a world that often bombards us with distractions and
competing priorities, it can be challenging to keep our focus on God. We have
work, family, and social commitments, and the demands of daily life can pull us
in many directions. But we must remember that our faith calls us to make God
the center of our lives.
Our faith is not something we practice only on Sundays or in
times of crisis. It should permeate every aspect of our existence. Our work,
our relationships, our decisions, and our actions should all reflect our
commitment to God. We are called to be a living testimony to the love and mercy
of our Creator.
As we reflect on this Gospel passage, let us ask ourselves:
Are we giving to God what belongs to Him? Are we dedicating time for prayer and
reflection in our daily lives? Are we sharing our blessings and gifts with
those in need, as an expression of God's love? Are we living with integrity,
honesty, and compassion, as a reflection of our Christian values?
Let us remember that, like the coin with Caesar's image, we
bear the image of God in our hearts. Therefore, as we go about our daily lives,
let us give God His due by living as true disciples, loving our neighbours, and
striving for a world that reflects His justice, mercy, and peace.
On this Mission Sunday we have a responsibility to give to
God what belongs to Him. Many of us think in terms of monetary assistance. Yes,
we need to. On the other hand we could also give our assistance of prayers to
those missionaries working tirelessly. We could also get involved in some
charitable works and participate in the mission of Jesus.
Let us give to Caesar what is Caesar's, but never forget to
give to God what is God's. Our highest priority should always be our
relationship with God and our commitment to His kingdom. In doing so, we will
find our lives enriched with meaning, purpose, and the joy of living in His
grace.
Happy Sunday
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