A reading from the prophecy of Isaiah
(Chapter 41:1,4-6)
This prophecy dates from the sixth century before the birth of Jesus, toward the end of the Babylonian Exile, when Cyrus, the ruler of Persia, conquered Babylon and allowed the people of Israel to return home. The author wants the people to know that it was through the power of God that Israel was saved.
“For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel, my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. I am the Lord and there is no other, there is no God beside me. It is I who arm you, though you know me not, so that from the rising to the setting of the sun people may know that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, there is no other.”
Here we have the classic principle, “repetition aids comprehension.” “I am the Lord, there is no other…. There is none besides me…. There is no God besides me.” OK! you say. We get it. But that is the point. The people of Israel did not always get it. “You knew me not.” Why? How could that have been? Well, people worshiped several gods, and there was always a temptation to seek another that seemed to be more powerful.
You and I worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God in three persons, but sometimes we may be tempted or even seduced by the false gods of money, power, prestige, and empty pleasure. Temptations are always there, and emotional stress, isolation, financial worries, and boredom can challenge and sometimes overcome us, at least for a while. It is at such times that we need to reach out to someone we trust for strength and healing and take the time for prayer—often!
Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 96: 1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10)
“Give the Lord glory and honor.” It is not that God needs it but that we need it. We need to stay in touch with God, in gratitude for life and for the saving gift of Jesus Christ.
A reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Thessalonians
(Chapter 1:1-5b)
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father…. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.”
Do you believe in the power of the Holy Spirit? Have you experienced it in your life? Did you ever think that something that went right for you, or something that seemed hopeless but worked out, or a gift that suddenly appeared, was through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within you every day of your life? It happens! Sometimes, we are “surprised in the Spirit.”
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
(Chapter 22:15-21)
This is the famous story of the Pharisees and Herodians trying to trick Jesus. They start off by flattering him: “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth…. Tell us then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar, or not?” Jesus asks them to show him the coin used to pay the tax. “He said to them ‘Whose image is this and whose inscription?’ They replied, ‘Caesar’s’ At that he said to them, ‘Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God’”
For centuries people have used this saying to help explain our responsibilities to our government and to God. Throughout history, this has often been challenging, as it is in our own tumultuous era. We need to be well informed, open minded, and loyal citizens, especially in these troubled times, but ultimately, we need to give our obedience to God.
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Excerpts from the English translation of the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). All rights reserved. The passage regarding the wedding garment is from The New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved.
Bill Ayres was a founder, with the late singer Harry Chapin, of WhyHunger. He has been a radio and TV broadcaster for 40 years and has two weekly Sunday-night shows on WPLJ, 95.5 FM in New York. He is a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport, New York.