Parishioner's Gospel reflection
Render to Caesar that which is due to Caesar and to God that which is due to God
18 October 2020: 29th Sunday of the Year (Cycle A)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Bill Smith
Matthew 22: 15-21
Jesus has the question, “Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar?” put to him by a mixture of the two opposing political factions in an attempt to trap him into taking sides. But he avoids their trap by throwing back the question to them to recognise for themselves where their obligations lay.
In life we can face challenges where we have to choose between different, and sometimes opposing, obligations. Always the commitment to serving God is paramount. But unless we have joined a contemplative religious order we have to live within the framework of the society and customs in which we find ourselves. We have to find the way to integrate our worldly living into being part of that commitment to God.
If the ways of the world are at odds with God’s laws we have to work towards getting them changed – if necessary, peacefully defying the rule of civil law.
But we do have an obligation to observe the laws of the land where they do not contradict God's law.
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25 October 2020: 30th Sunday of the Year (Cycle A)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder (Cjs)
Matthew: 22: 34 – 40
The Sadducees were silenced by the wisdom of our Lord.
News of this soon reached them, which the Pharisees deplored.
Determined they endeavoured, to disconcert Him now.
One put to Him this question, to trick Him still somehow.
“What is the commandment that is the greatest of them all.”
(They were hoping confound Him, and make Him look so small.)
“The greatest first commandment, that ever you will find,
is..you must love the Lord your God, with heart and soul and mind.
Love your neighbour as yourself, is the second..that’s the Law.
So similar you see, on these two hang so much more.”
Jesus preached of Justice, and in the power of prayer.
The Love of God our Father, He promised will be there.
When life brings times of hardship and all seems grief and pain,
raise your hearts to Jesus, you will not ask in vain.
Christ will always listen, He said it so it’s true.
He will give the answers, which are so right for you.
So never be despondent, though it seems all is despair.
Wherever there is Jesus, Justice will be there. Cjs.
Jesus was saying that all hangs no love.
Love of God, love of fellow man.
Prove love of God by showing love of man.
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Bill Smith
Matthew 22: 15-21
Jesus has the question, “Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar?” put to him by a mixture of the two opposing political factions in an attempt to trap him into taking sides. But he avoids their trap by throwing back the question to them to recognise for themselves where their obligations lay.
In life we can face challenges where we have to choose between different, and sometimes opposing, obligations. Always the commitment to serving God is paramount. But unless we have joined a contemplative religious order we have to live within the framework of the society and customs in which we find ourselves. We have to find the way to integrate our worldly living into being part of that commitment to God.
If the ways of the world are at odds with God’s laws we have to work towards getting them changed – if necessary, peacefully defying the rule of civil law.
But we do have an obligation to observe the laws of the land where they do not contradict God's law.
***************************
25 October 2020: 30th Sunday of the Year (Cycle A)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder (Cjs)
Matthew: 22: 34 – 40
The Sadducees were silenced by the wisdom of our Lord.
News of this soon reached them, which the Pharisees deplored.
Determined they endeavoured, to disconcert Him now.
One put to Him this question, to trick Him still somehow.
“What is the commandment that is the greatest of them all.”
(They were hoping confound Him, and make Him look so small.)
“The greatest first commandment, that ever you will find,
is..you must love the Lord your God, with heart and soul and mind.
Love your neighbour as yourself, is the second..that’s the Law.
So similar you see, on these two hang so much more.”
Jesus preached of Justice, and in the power of prayer.
The Love of God our Father, He promised will be there.
When life brings times of hardship and all seems grief and pain,
raise your hearts to Jesus, you will not ask in vain.
Christ will always listen, He said it so it’s true.
He will give the answers, which are so right for you.
So never be despondent, though it seems all is despair.
Wherever there is Jesus, Justice will be there. Cjs.
Jesus was saying that all hangs no love.
Love of God, love of fellow man.
Prove love of God by showing love of man.