Daily Catholic Lectio
Sunday, 22 October 2023
Twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 45:1,4-6. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5a. Matthew 22:15-21
World Mission Day
Hearts and Feet
Today we are on the twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year. This day is celebrated as World Mission Day (Mission Sunday). The day reminds us that we form part of one family, bound by one faith. ‘Hearts on fire, feet on the move’ is the theme that is given by the Holy Father for the World Mission Day celebrations this year.
The theme is inspired by the Emmaus narrative (cf. Luke 24), where the two disciples, being transformed by Jesus’ accompanying presence, his words, and the breaking of the bread, return to Jerusalem, from where they had flown.
‘Hearts on fire’ refers to the rootedness dimension of our faith, and ‘feet on the move’ refers to our openness to life.
The first reading (cf. Isa 45:1,4-6) is taken from Deutero-Isaiah. This section (cf. Isa 44:24-45:8) offers hope to the exiled. The life of exile in Babylonia comes to an end as the Persian emperor Cyrus the Great ascends to the throne. Cyrus the Great ordered that all the people of Israel could return to their land (cf. 2 Chr 36:22-33). As far as Isaiah is concerned, the appointment of Cyrus comes from God. It is God who acts in Cyrus. God used Nebuchadnezzar to punish the people of Israel, and he used Cyrus to liberate them. It is God who kills and heals. Isaiah calls Cyrus ‘the anointed one of the Lord.’ In a way, Cyrus is portrayed as the Messiah, the term that was used to refer to the kings of Israel. Moreover, Cyrus becomes the chosen one of God.
But Cyrus does not know this. God himself says, “I call you by your name; I name you, though you do not know me.’ God reveals to Cyrus that he is the Lord. Two things are vivid here: God is the originator of historical events; God makes use of us even when we are not aware of it.
Three elements are to be noted: God’s grace does not have territory; God takes control of history; and God is all-powerful.
The second reading (cf. 1 Thes 1:1-5) contains the opening section of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians is the first book of the New Testament, written about 51 AD. Thessalonica is a community in Macedonia. Paul penned this letter from Corinth. The format of the letter that is followed here reflects in all the epistles of Paul. Paul thanks God for the Church at Thessalonica: “We give thanks to God always for all of you.” These words tell us that it is God who has brought the community of Thessalonica together. Further, he appreciates their virtues and good qualities: “your work of faith, labour of love, and steadfastness of hope.” Thus, Paul notes that God continues to act in and through the faithful.
Paul recommends that our faith must manifest itself in action, our labour should be inspired by love, and our hope must be made alive through our steadfastness.
The gospel reading contains the narrative of Jesus being tested by the Pharisees and the Herodians. After his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus cleansed the Temple. The enemies of Jesus were outraged by this act. Further, Jesus, through the parables of ‘two sons,’ ‘wicked tenants,’ and ‘wedding banquet’, conveyed the message that the chosen ones of God become the rejected ones, and they are replaced by the Gentiles. Being outraged now, they try to entangle Jesus in his words.
The Pharisees join hands with the Herodians. The Herodians wish that the dynasty of Herod must continue; however, they would give their support to the Roman empire. Thus, they wanted to enjoy the best of both worlds. This was an act of hypocrisy.
They came to Jesus with a question: ‘Teacher, is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ Their calling of Jesus as teacher was ironic. Jesus was not flattered by their words, for he knew their hidden intentions. The question was tricky. If Jesus had said, ‘yes, it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar,’ they would provoke the people against Jesus, and if he had said, ‘no’, they would complain to the Romans that Jesus was against them.
Jesus, knowing their evil intent, asks them to bring a coin for the tax. They bring forth a coin. Every Roman coin will have the inscription, “Caesar Augustus Tiberius, son of the Divine Augustus.” The people of Israel now dwell in the land that was given by God. But they possess the coin where it reads ‘Divine Augustus.’ This is equal to idolatry. They pray that the Lord alone is God (cf. Deut 6:4), but they conveniently carry the coin. Therefore, Jesus, calling them hypocrites, tells them to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.
Thus, Jesus not only acknowledges the presence of Caesar as king but also says that what belongs to him is the coin. To God belongs more. They are asked to give to God what belongs to him. Jesus indirectly says that human authority is limited. Caesar can never play God, nor can he replace him.
What are the lessons that we draw from today’s readings?
(a) Everything is in the hands of God!
Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and Caesar are human authorities, but they are set by God. God is in control of human history, and he conducts it through different people, with or without their knowledge. Every human authority is limited to space and time. Every authority will come to an end. Thus, those who are in authority must be humble, and those who are under authority must be patient.
(b) Action-Labour-Steadfastness
The theological virtues of faith, love, and hope must be accompanied by action, labour, and steadfastness. Though we belong to God, we live, move, and have our being here on earth. It is necessary that we live our lives in a worthy manner. We must never feel ourselves as victims of a situation, but we must be its master.
(c) That belongs to Caesar, and that belongs to God.
Jesus invites us to strike a balance between the secular and the sacred. They are not contrary to each other but rather complementary. We are called to open ourselves to being committed to society and Church.
May our hearts burn for God, but our feet shall be here on the earth!
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of MaduraiMissionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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