Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time [A]

Readings
Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
Matthew 22:15-21

Calendar
October 16: World Food Day (for info go to: http://www.fao.org/wfd/index_en.asp)
October 17: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (for info, go to: http://www.un.org/events/poverty2000/index.html)
October 18: Persons Day in Canada (http://www.swo.gov.sk.ca/Key%20Dates.html#October)
October 23: World Mission Sunday

Quotes
Sacred Scripture continually speaks to us of an active commitment to our neighbor and demands of us a shared responsibility for all of humanity. This duty is not limited to one's own family, nation or state, but extends progressively to all . . . so no one can consider himself or herself extraneous or indifferent to the lot of another member of the human family.
John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, no. 51

In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation. . . all Catholics are called to a common commitment to protect human life and stand with those who are poor and vulnerable.
Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility

Church has the right, indeed the duty, to proclaim justice on the social, national and international level, and to denounce instances of injustice, when the fundamental rights of people and their very salvation demand it.
Justice in the World, no. 36

It is absolutely necessary that international conflicts should not be settled by war, but that other methods better befitting human nature should be found. Let a strategy of non-violence be fostered.
Justice in the World, no. 65

Founded to build the kingdom of heaven on earth rather than to acquire temporal power, the Church openly avows that the two powersí¢â‚¬"Church and Stateí¢â‚¬"are distinct from one another; that each is supreme in its own sphere of competency. But since the Church does dwell among people, she has the duty "of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel." Sharing the noblest aspirations of people and suffering when she sees these aspirations not satisfied, she wishes to help them attain their full realization. So she offers her distinctive contribution: a global perspective on people and human realities.
Paul VI, Populorum Progresso

Thoughts for your consideration
The scriptures today remind us that God and the spirit of God ultimately transcend all other things. From the perspective of faith, Isaiah is not afraid of saying that even the great Persian king Cyrus is really an instrument of God. Jesus affirms that Caesar is not absolute. Some things belong to the state and some things belong to God. No government is absolute.

The Pharisees and Herodians try to engage Jesus in some sort of political game - much like the political games that are played out today in political discourse and in the media. Jesus refuses to play. He keeps his perspective much broader.

In a certain sense, no follower of Christ can pledge allegiance to the state in any absolute way. The state has its essential role í¢â‚¬" but it is not absolute. Our ultimate allegiance is to God and not to a flag or a group or a government. At the same time, civil society and government have their important roles to play and Christians are to be involved and creative.

As war continues in Iraq and Afghanistan, we bring our Christian critique of war as we invite our society to live in the nonviolent spirit of Jesus. As we continue to observe human rights violations in various places in the world, we speak up in opposition. As we become more and more aware of the power of global organizations, like the IMF or World Bank or WTO, we speak up for those who are left out and have no power. As we see so much power in global corporations, we hear again the call of Jesus not to forget the things of God í¢â‚¬" a God who calls for liberation and justice for all.

Questions for Reflection in your Faith Sharing Group
When have you experienced government as supportive of your Christian values?
When have you experienced government as in conflict with your values?
When have you spoken out to challenge the values and practices of government or society?

Actions - Links
As you reflect on the relationship between church and state you might want to look at Faithful Citizenship: Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium, a statement of United States Catholic Conference. It is available online at: http://www.nccbuscc.org/faithfulcitizenship/bishopStatement.html .

Cyrus, the King in the first reading, was considered an early champion of human rights. In about 1879 archeologists discovered "Cyrus the Greats' Cylinder." In 1971 the United Nations translated and published the Cyrus Cylinder as the first declaration of human rights into all official U.N. languages. For more info, go to:
http://www.iranchamber.com/history/cyrus/cyrus_charter.php or http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/History/hakhamaneshian/Cyrus-the-great/cyrus_cylinder.htm

Prayer
God, we pray that your spirit may rule over all things.

May your spirit rule over kings and presidents
Over prime ministers and generals
Over CEOs and party bosses
Over the legislature and over the bureaucrats
Over all citizens.

May your spirit guide us on the way of peace
On the way of honest dialogue
On the way of reconciliation between peoples
On the way of disarmament and justice
On the way of freedom and life for all.

May your spirit lead us on the journey of blessings shared with all
On the journey of educational opportunity for all our children
On the adventure of research and study that helps all men and women
On the road to meaningful work for all your people
On the path of solidarity and love between all our brothers and sisters.

May your spirit help us
To speak up with courage
To share what we have and what we are
To challenge the powers that be
To offer a message of liberation and life.