AND ALL THE TRAPPINGS - One Bread, One Body, 10/19/2008

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Sunday, October 19, 2008, 29th Sunday Ordinary Time

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, Psalm 96, Matthew 22:15-21
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/101908.shtml

AND ALL THE TRAPPINGS

"Then the Pharisees went off and began to plot how they might trap Jesus
in speech." —Matthew 22:15

The disciples of the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by asking Him the
question: "Is it lawful to pay tax to the emperor or not?" (Mt 22:17) If
Jesus would answer: "Pay taxes to Rome," He would lose His popularity with
the masses of simple people who comprised the great majority of His
followers. These simple folk were Jews who naturally opposed their
conquerors and oppressors, the Romans. The Pharisees encouraged Jesus to
disappoint His followers by reminding Him that He didn't court anyone's
favor or act out of human respect (Mt 22:16). But Jesus did not answer:
"Pay taxes to Rome."

On the other hand, if Jesus answered: "Don't pay taxes to Rome," He would
keep His popularity with the masses but get in trouble with Rome. Jesus'
opposition to Roman taxation would then be dutifully reported to Roman
officials by the Herodian sympathizers present for the occasion (see Mt
22:16). But Jesus did not answer: "Don't pay your taxes."

What did Jesus do? Did He evade the question? No. Instead, He became the
Questioner rather than the questioned. Through His questions (Mt
22:18-20), He may have convicted the Pharisees and their disciples of
their sinful compromise with the oppressive Roman government. To merely
hold a Roman coin was a convicting experience for an orthodox Jew who
considered the graven image on a coin idol worship. To simply say the name
"Caesar" left a bad taste in the mouth of a Jew. Jesus' would-be trappers
may have realized they were trapped. "Taken aback" by Jesus' reply, "they
went off and left Him" (Mt 22:22).

Prayer: Father, on this World Mission Sunday, take me captive to do Your
will so that I will escape the devil's trap (2 Tm 2:26).

Promise: "Our preaching of the gospel proved not a mere matter of words
for you but one of power." —1 Thes 1:5

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus Who gained victory over all sin!

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
October 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, May 1, 2008

The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.

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