1st Reading: Is 45:1,4-6
2nd
Reading:1Thes 1:1-5b
Gospel
Reading: Mt 22:15-21
It is quite common that the enemies can easily team up to
fight their common enemy. Especially if their common enemy seems to be too
strong to be fought by one. If they managed to combine power and win the enemy
does not change the fact that they are still enemies before the one, they
consider a common enemy. The Gospel of today is clearly showing us the image
where the pharisees and the Herodians who hates each other team up and plot to
trap Jesus. The first reading of today, is giving us things, that God does of
which many of them they are invisible, and people are sometimes unaware of them.
With the example of King Cyrius, God is always influencing earthly rulers even
if they are unaware of him. Paul is also talking of the fulness of the gospel in
faith and deeds. Paul expresses genuine faith which is not passive but active.
The gospel of today is relevant for the family conflicts we
encounter and experience every day if not always. Although people are close to
each other, they can quarrel, argue, disagree and always try to trap each other
especially for justification. The solution of a problem is not fighting or
shouting rather it is humility in reasoning. Jesus is not quarrelling he is
just putting the truth in the hands of his contenders then it remains in them
to hold it or drop it. Jesus never picked a side because he understands the
consequences of it. Jesus loved peace and his response is a peaceful response.
Grod granted light which can make thing clear that is the truth (Genesis 1:3).
The light and the truth of God can make peace in the affairs of men.
There are sometimes that we need to be humble in certain situations
because there are many people who have fallen into traps of other people
because they cannot give themselves time to think especially the time of
temptations. We have political instabilities in the world whereby we find many
political prisoners suffering because of speeches they made or responses they
made during various presses. Jesus clearly understood the political, social and
religious situation of his time so that whatever he does fits in the situation
at hand.
Today we are invited to consider three things. The first is
to know what is always expected from us to God. This should be done with faith
and understanding reason why God himself created us. If we know our duty, we
can be able to face some situations which may be tough but if we treat those
situations with humility and faith in God, we can win. Secondly, we need always
to ask the strength of the Holy Spirit in whatever we do. Faith and the power
of Holy Spirit can make us victors in front of our enemies. Let us not be like
the Pharisees and Herodians who plan to put down innocent souls because of our
selfish character. Our character, our deeds should manifest the true faith that
we received from God and the same faith we should return to God.
Let us know that God can choose us from anywhere like
Cyrius to be the instruments to help others, to help ourselves and to be the
preachers of the Gospel with zeal. Let us ask the maternal help of Mother Mary
in this month of October so that we may
be able to the instruments of truth like Jesus as he is the truth himself (John
14:6). Be humble and become a victor.
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