Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Give to God what is God’s.” The question for us is, “What is God’s?” The answer for each of us depends upon what we believe and why we believe it. We are told that we live in a world come of age: intellectually and scientifically. But there is something deeply disturbing about this. Theorizing can be one of the most subtle and effective ways of escaping confrontation with God down at the deeper levels of our being.

Jesus’ response to the Pharisee's question in today's Gospel is similar to the question regarding which commandment in the Jewish law is the greatest; Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Even though civilizations, governments, and cultures come and go, the commandment to love God and neighbor never changes. Jesus is not interested in status or political correctness, but the dignity of every human person. 

Scripture Reading for October 22, 2023

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5
Matthew 22:15-21