This is a slideshow presentation based on Matthew 22:15-21, the Gospel reading for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). You may embed this slideshow into your own blog/website or download the original PowerPoint/Pdf file so you may use it in your liturgical celebrations. You can also view a high quality and printable version of the slides by clicking here.
READING: Matthew 22:15-21
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’
REFLECTION
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus confronts the issue about paying taxes. When the Pharisees asked him if it is lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not, Jesus replies “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
The image of emperors were inscribed on coins because they were regarded as his personal property. Paying taxes is not only giving back what belongs to the the emperor, it is also a recognition of his power and authority over the people.
In the same way, we need to give to God what belongs to Him. And what are the things that belong to God? The simple answer to this question is: everything belongs to God!
We are created in God’s likeness and thus we are stamped with His image. We belong to God. Giving ourselves to God is only giving God what rightly belongs to Him
3 January 2009
1 Comment at "29th Sunday (Ordinary Time - A)"
I read this Matthew 22:15-21. The question about Paying Taxes:
You are absolutely right.
God theFather in heaven earth/under the earthBless you Always.
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