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• Readings for Sunday, October 18th

  The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

• Sunday Homily

  There’s quite a contrast today between St. Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians and the Gospel. Start with the Gospel. It’s dark. 

  
  

  We’ve heard it many times. We know the punchline by heart. 

  
  

  A clever group of Pharisees, who are lay religious leaders, and the Herodians, collaborators with the corrupt King Herod, two groups who absolutely hate each another, join forces to trap Jesus with a trick question. Their shared hatred for Jesus evolves into a very strange alliance. 

  
  

  And regarding their question about paying the tax to Caesar?

  
  

  If Jesus responds by saying, “Pay the tax” he’ll get into trouble with the Pharisees, who are opposed to paying any taxes to the Romans. 

  
  

  If Jesus says, “Don’t pay the tax” he’s in trouble with the Herodians who’ll put him on trial for disturbing the peace.

  
  

  They think they’ve got him!

  
  

  Essentially Jesus says something like, “Sure, pay the taxes. They keep society working.” I’m paraphrasing, of course.

  
  

  But remember, “It’s really God to whom you owe everything. God gave you life. Give to God your hearts, souls, and mind.” 

  
  

  A very clever trick question is met by Jesus’ beautiful response. Serve God first.

  But moving beyond Jesus’ answer we don’t want to miss the fact that the trick question is inspired by hatred. 

  
  

  Well, speaking of coins…here’s something you can “take to the bank.” We never serve the purposes of the God of love through hatred.

  
  

  Hatred always undermines a person’s claim that they love God.

  
  

  We can have different positions on many things - even on religion - and debate them. Fine! We should talk! 

  
  

  And if we encounter a person who misunderstands the teachings of our faith, we can point that out. We should. Great!

  
  

  But separate the opinion from the person.

  
  

  We can’t consider ourselves religious people if we hate anyone. If we do…we undermine the basic message of our faith. So don’t overlook the meanness of these leaders who try to entrap Jesus. And the meanness out there in all kinds of circles today.

  
  

  ***

  
  

  Six years ago, Pope Francis sent an important letter, an encyclical letter, to all the people of the world. ‘Fratelli Tutti.’

  
  

  ‘Fratelli Tutti’

  
  

  In Italian that means “all brothers and sisters.” It’s an expression first used by Francis’ namesake, St. Francis of Assisi. Pope Francis was calling for greater ‘social friendship’ among all peoples. 

  
  

  He wrote that we live in a time marked by lots of problems: war, poverty, immigration, climate change, economic crises and, during that time, a pandemic. All those crises troubled him, as they did, and do, all of us.

  
  

  But he was particularly concerned about hatred among the peoples of the earth, and in a very special way about the racism that keeps popping up all over the world.

  
  

  Racism may retreat underground for a time, he said. But it keeps re-emerging. 

  
  

  He asked that we recognize the brother or sister in everyone we meet. And that Christians recognize the face of Jesus in everyone who suffers. Because every single human person is created in the image of God.

  
  

  ***

  
  

  Some years ago, I read a book on Adolph Hitler, considered the most comprehensive ever written. The book described in extraordinary detail his rise to power. 

  
  

  And you had to ask: How could a relatively young man, an isolated, insecure, unemployed painter with no friends somehow be able to capitalize on people’s hatreds, particularly for Jews, and wreak all the havoc he did? 

  
  

  What incredible power was unleashed through hate.

  
  

  Basic point! We never serve the purposes of the God of love through revenge or plotting or negativity or hatred. 

  
  

  So, we must guard against all negative chatter, unfair criticism, and worse, plotting. 

  
  

  Our conspiracy of words are the forces of darkness at work.  

  
  

  The elections are just about two weeks away. We probably can’t wait for them to be over.

  
  

  We’ve been bombarded by opponents lashing out at each other. It seems to get worse each election cycle as we move farther away from civility. It’s no mystery why we’re dealing with so much polarization and cynicism in our country. 

  
  

  But the same can happen in the workplace or at school or in our neighborhoods or even in our families. So easily we slip into the negative.

  
  

  ***

  
  

  Now, contrast all this with St. Paul’s words today from his Letter to the Thessalonians. The first thing he writes is, “Grace to you and peace, in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

  
  

  St. Paul will certainly go on to address real problems. He’ll write about how the Christian community can improve. 

  
  

  But this beautiful way of beginning! 

  
  

  “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.”

  
  

  Doesn’t true religion begin by thanking God and affirming people for the good they’re doing? 

  
  

  “When I think of you, Paul says, I just thank God.”

  
  

  Paul will correct false ideas. He’ll point out sinful behavior. But he always begins with gratitude. He thanks God and people. His teachings are framed within a spirit of gratitude. 

  
  

  In our most basic relationships, where it all starts - we Christians should affirm each other more. If we really want to have a positive impact on our culture, perhaps we should begin our conversations by saying…

  
  

  ~ “I give thanks to God for you”

  
  

  ~ “I remember you in my prayers”

  
  

  ~ “I’m always thinking about your good work...and all you do for love.”
  

• Download the homily

  • Homily for October 18th