Homily For Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 22nd October, 2023. Mission Sunday

Readings: Is. 45:1.4-6, Ps. 96, 1Thess.1:1-5; Matt. 22:15-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

HEARTS ON FIRE, FEET ON THE MOVE

 

At the time of Jesus, one of the great means of exchange was the use of a coin, A coin as we know is a small, flat, round piece of metal used primarily as a medium of exchange or legal tender use in order to facilitate trade. They are most often issued by the government with particular images, numerals and inscriptions. It is a very important commodity used in payment of taxes and other important goods, this gives great value to anyone who has enough for it in his possession.

 

So on the occasion of our Gospel passage today, the Pharisees and Herodians attempted to trap Jesus using the mandatory law of paying tax to Caesar. It was a serious trap for Jesus because a negative response from him would make him a serious enemy of Rome; a positive response would make him lose the trust of his people, who generally detest paying this tax. Thus, Jesus said to them: “Why do you set this trap for me? Bring me a coin and let me see it.’ They handed him one and he said, ‘Whose image and inscriptions is it?’ Caesar’s they told him. Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God.’ This reply took them completely by surprise.

 

But what does this reply mean? Here Jesus requested for a coin; he secured the coin; he inquired about the image and inscription of the coin; and they responded by identifying the coin with Caesar. In the context of these actions Jesus is probably holding the coin this implies that the true image of the coin is in his possession but the empirical image and inscription of the coin are the sum total of the things that belong to Caesar. In other words, the true image and inscriptions of anything come and belong to God. However, the empirical image of corruption, greediness, pride, operation and deception that are found in this coin belongs to Caesar and should be rendered back to him.

 

Thus, Jesus affirms, that one’s obligation to the government is necessary as long as it is for the good of all while insisting that one’s obligation to God is always greater and this should be done by rendering the true image of the coin to God which ultimately belongs to Him. And this is what prophet Isaiah is pointing out in our first reading as he expatiate on the relationship between faith and politics which was well demonstrated in the person of Cyrus whose right hand God had used to subdue nations and uncover the loins of kings.

In the same light, St. Paul in our second reading encouraged the Church of Thessalonians to remember their faith, love and hope in God even in the midst of their struggles against the political powers and authority around them.

 

Dear friends, in our struggles against the ugly political powers and authorities of our generation, we all, in one way or the other possess the coins of this life, but whose image and inscription are in the coin we possess. Are we possessing the coin with the true image and inscription of God or the coin with the empirical image of sin, corruption, greed, selfishness and deception? Today as we celebrate Mission Sunday, Jesus is telling us to render back to the Caesars of this world all the ugly and sinful coins in our possession for they belong to Caesar. While rendering to God the true image of the coin with the inscription of love, mercy, justice, forgiveness, charity and holiness for they truly belong to God. These are what we are called to do as we carry out our missionary mandate.

 

 Little wonder, Pope Francis in his Message for this Mission Sunday titled Hearts on Fire, feet on the Move said: I have chosen this theme inspired by the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, in the Gospel of Luke (cf. 24:13-35) to portray the nature of our mission. For those two disciples were confused and dismayed, but their encounter with Christ in the word and in the breaking of the bread sparked in them the enthusiastic desire to set out again towards Jerusalem and proclaim that the Lord had truly risen.

 

Here, we perceive this change in the disciples through a few revealing images: their hearts burned within them as they heard the Scriptures explained by Jesus, their eyes were opened as they recognized him and, ultimately, their feet set out on the way. By meditating on these three images, which reflect the journey of all missionary disciples, we can renew our zeal for evangelization in today’s world.

 

Today, as then, the Risen Lord remains close to his missionary disciples and walks beside us, particularly when we feel disoriented, discouraged, and fearful of the mystery of iniquity that surrounds us in this world and seeks to overwhelm us. So, “let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of hope!” (Evangelii Gaudium, 86). For the Lord is greater than all our problems. Pope Francis also said: I desire to express my closeness in Christ to all the men and women missionaries in the world, especially to those enduring any kind of hardship.

 

Dear friends, he said: the Risen Lord is always with you. He sees your generosity and the sacrifices you are making for the mission of evangelization in distant lands. Not every day of our lives is serene and unclouded, but let us never forget the words of our Lord Jesus to his friends before his Passion: “In the world, you will have tribulations, but be courageous: I have conquered the world!” (Jn 16:33).

 

LET US PRAY: O God, whose providence never fails in its design, grant that our hearts should be on fire and our feet on the move to always render to you what belongs to you, as we do away with all that offends you and our fellow neighbours, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful Mission Sunday celebration.