The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (22 October 2017)
Is 45:1,4-6; Ps 96; 1Thes 1:1-10; Mt 22:15-21
Theme: Who is the King of Your Heart?
Repeatedly in Israel’s history, the nation finds itself in exile. And repeatedly, G-d has proven to be Israel’s faithful LORD as he uses different nations and their kings to enact his salvation for his people and judge those nations who have overstepped their power. In our readings today, the authors of Isaiah 45 and Psalm 96, reiterate G-d’s sovereignty over the nations and not just Israel. G-d uses the stage of international politics to show that the kings are but his servants. He has given them limited authority as his instruments of justice and salvation for both his chosen nation and goyim or the nations around them. G-d was the True Suzerain over the nations and their kings were only his vassals, blessed when they extend G-d’s justice and goodness to the people and judged when they abuse their power over their constituents. The trial speeches against the nations in Isaiah showed that Babylonian diviners didn’t expect the rise of Cyrus thus rendering their gods speechless and insignificant compared to the G-d of Israel.
In the turning point of Israel’s history, G-d uses Cyrus king of Persia to bring back his people from their long exile in Babylon to rebuild the walls and the Holy City in Jerusalem. The decree by Cyrus the Great that sent the exiles back to Israel seemed to be the liberation the people had long anticipated. Although we see in the Gospel of Matthew that Israel was again captive to another Superpower, Rome, and it’s cruel Caesar, Herod. The fate and faith of Israel was once again put to the test. Although Caesar’s rule had dawned the age of roads and infrastructure that eased commerce and travel, his reign had also persecuted those who refused to worship him as the divine son, and emissary of the gods. Caesar’s Pax Romana and the cruelty by which he ushered in this ‘peace’ was infamously historical.
Taxes and tributes were the main means by which Caesar imposed his oppression on the foreigners in the land. And this was not a welcome policy for the Israelites, many of whom were at the brink of poverty and living as aliens in their own land. In the Gospel reading, Jesus teaches an implicit lesson when he was questioned for his loyalty. “As a teacher of the Law, was it against the Torah to pay taxes to Caesar?” In true Rabbinic form, Jesus answers through a rhetorical reply, “Who’s image is on that coin?” It does not take a genius to know that the face is indeed Caesar’s. And thus, Jesus says, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to G-d what is G-d’s.” This seemed to be the end of the conversation. But if one seeks further, one might ask, “If the coin is Caesar’s as it has his image on it, what then belongs to G-d?” The right question in reply is, “Who’s image is on you?”
Jesus reminds us, as in Israel’s history, G-d is faithful to his promises. And in spite the many difficult circumstances, he remains King of the nations and thus he longs to remain King of our hearts.
For Reflection and Discussion: Was there a very difficult time in your life that made you question G-d’s sovereignty in your life? What does the concept of G-d’s kingship tell us about our circumstances?
Bibliography: Boyles, Craig. The Major Prophets in the FaithLife Study Bible. (Washington:2016); Frymer-Kensy, Tikva. The Image: Religious Anthropology in Judaism and Christianity in Christianity in Jewish Terms, (Colorado:2000); Lamerson, Samuel. The Graeco-Roman Background of the New Testament in the FaithLife Study Bible. (Washington : 2016).
This week’s Sunday Gospel Commentary was prepared by
Jojee Martinez, MDiv Biblical Studies, Philippines
Bat Kol Alumni July 2016
Email address: jojeemartinez@gmail.com
[Copyright © 2017 ]
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PLEASE NOTE: The weekly Gospel commentaries represent the research and creative thought of their authors, and are meant to stimulate deeper thinking about the meaning of the Sunday Scriptures. While they draw upon the study methods and sources employed by the Bat Kol Institute, the views and conclusions expressed in these commentaries are solely those of their authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Bat Kol. Questions, comments and feedback are always welcome
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Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem
1983-2017
“Christians Studying the Bible within its Jewish milieu, using Jewish Sources.”
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