Weekly thoughts from Father Michael and this week's Homily (posted after Sunday's mass)

​​​Holy Infant Catholic Church

   WEEKLY THOUGHTS 29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OCTOBER 18th 2020.

Dear Friends, welcome to the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time celebrated Sunday October 18th 2020. Our great Nation is coming close to the Presidential Elections as well as the election of other Local Government Leaders.  Going to the polls is one of the civil duties, like paying tax.

Our Bishop and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the United States have sent us guidelines in form of civic Education to guide us in this important civil exercise.

The Gospel Reading for us today Jesus tells the Pharisees, their disciples and the Herodians ganged up to trap Jesus with a question; “Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”

The question was asked in bad spirit. It was designed in such a way to discredit Jesus to take sides on a controversial matter.

For religious reasons, it was abominable for a Jew to pay taxes to Caesar. In case Jesus said yes, he would alienate his followers who hated the Romans. In case of a no, he could be charged with sedition and being rebellious to colonial power.

Jesus openly calls his opponents hypocrites who secretly transacted business with coins with Caesar’s image. If the coins were truly made in the image of God, they would give themselves to God in entirety.

We all as humans created in the image of God and destined to God must always be aware that we belong to God. Whatever is considered as owned by Caesar ultimately belongs and is subject to God.

Have a great week and God bless.