CẢM NGHIỆM SỐNG LC- BRENDAN-29TH SUNDAY-A
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- Category: 2. Cảm Nghiệm Sống Lời Chúa
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Mo NguyenFri, Oct 16 at 7:54 PMTWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
18 OCTOBER 2020
OBEDIENCE TO GOD
REFLECTIONS ON THE GOSPEL (Matthew 22: 15-21)
OBEDIENCE TO GOD
Having entered Jerusalem as its messianic King, Jesus is drawn into a power struggle with representatives of various groups who, under the overall control of the Romans, currently wield power. To remove the threat he poses, they need to portray him to the Romans as dangerous and, at the same time, to lessen his authority with the people.
The tax question is a perfect stratagem to achieve these ends. If Jesus supports the payment of the unpopular poll tax, he will lose standing with the people; if he forbids payment, he risks being identified with groups rebellious towards Rome and so of appearing as a threat to peace and public order.
Jesus’ majestic response not only frees him from the dilemma, it actually goes onto the offensive. By requiring them to produce a coin with Caesar’s image on it he shows them up as already collaborating with the Romans. They carry around the offensive coinage. He does not.
Then his dual ‘Render…’ instruction throws the dilemma back upon them. They had set the issue simply in terms of obligation to Rome; they had not brought God into the equation at all. Jesus takes possession of the religious and moral high ground by setting responsibility to the civil power (which he does not deny) within the broader and higher framework of obedience to God.
We can find here the beginnings of the later Christian sense of th separation of Church and State. We also have a recognition that believers have responsibilities in both realms that oblige in conscience before God.
Brendan Byrne, SJ
Susan Boyle: Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace (Lyrics):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Jr2o7oewU
KINH HÒA BÌNH - LM.KIM LONG I Nhiều Nghệ Sĩ I MV OFFICIAL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyV9WG8qz