Sunday, Oct. 18, is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21.
Let’s take a look our duties to God and to the common good. The Gospel describes an unlikely set of allies, as the Pharisees disliked the Herodians (a combination of political and racial hatred).
In their opening remarks to Jesus, his enemies give him grudging respect. They do so to provoke.
They say, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion. … Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
They don’t really want an answer; they want something to use against him. If Jesus says, “Yes, pay the taxes,” it will make him unpopular with the crowds. If he says, “No, don’t pay the taxes,” he will be arrested and likely executed.
“Knowing their malice, Jesus said, ‘Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?’”: Jesus called them on their pretense
