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What Our Nation Really Deserves  by Fr. Corey Brost

 A few years ago, an Illinois pharmacist gave up his $100,000-a-year job, because he insisted on giving God what belongs to God - his conscience.

Here’s what happened. A state law required all pharmacists to offer a pill that terminates pregnancy. The pharmacist who believed the pill was a form of abortion, refused to offer it because of his Catholic faith. That cost him his job.    

                But it saved his conscience-and made other people think.

When is loyalty to Christ more important than loyalty to human laws or even your country? Always, Jesus says in this week’s Gospel.

Jesus’ enemies question him about his willingness to pay a tax. They hope to trap him. If he opposes the tax, he’s liable to arrest. If he supports the tax, he loses support from the Jews who hate the Romans. But Jesus’ answer makes them take a stand: Give the government what it deserves, and give God what the Lord deserves.

His response has inspired Christians ever since. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took his stand in the 1960s by peacefully violating racist laws. U.S. Bishop Thomas Gumbleton took his stand by peacefully protesting our war against Iraq.

Scripture scholars say the writing on the coin that Jesus examines in this week’s Gospel called the Roman emperor “son” of God. But our “Son of God” calls each person to build a worldwide Kingdom where divine laws, not national laws or flags, demand our allegiance.

You might not be old enough to vote. But you still have to pledge your allegiance daily. Our nation deserves citizens who first pledge allegiance to God - and then let that allegiance help shape our nation.

If a word or phrase from the Gospel grabs your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. Or, reflect on the following question:

What U.S. laws or policies do you think Jesus would change? Why?

Readings for Sunday 10-16-2011                                      Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Reading 1                            Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred: 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 besides me. It is I who arm you, though you know me not, so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun people may know that there is none besides me. I am the LORD, there is no other.

Question for Discussion:

The first reading today describes how God uses (anoints) the pagan King Cyrus as a vehicle for caring for his people.  Do we see ourselves, God's people, as the only ones he blesses and uses?  Are we open to seeing that God can use anyone with a heart open to him to further his purposes?

Reading 2                            1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. 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, knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction. 

Question for Discussion:

 St. Paul tells the Thessalonians that they are constantly in his thoughts and prayers.  How often do you pray for others, particularly those who labor in faith, hope, and love for God's kingdom? What steps can take to increase your prayers for your pastor and other priests? What are some additional ways you can practically assist your pastor and parish?

Gospel                  Matthew 22:15-21

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, "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?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?  Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. 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."

Question for Discussion:

 In the Gospel reading, the Herodians tried to test Jesus. In what ways do you test God with your words: “if God really cared for me then …”; “if God will do this for me then...”?  Are there times when you try to manipulate God for you own purposes? Did it work? What can you do to make your relationship with God more one of faith and trust then of trying to get God to do what you want him to do?