for Sunday, October 22, 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Readings: Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22
The LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.
[Exodus 33:17]
O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds. [Psalm 99:8]
For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you...in every place your faith in God has become known...how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God... [1 Thess 1:8a, 9b]
The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said...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." ...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." [Matthew 22:15,18-21]
[Exodus 33:17]
O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds. [Psalm 99:8]
For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you...in every place your faith in God has become known...how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God... [1 Thess 1:8a, 9b]
The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said...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." ...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." [Matthew 22:15,18-21]
Moses certainly has a lot to say to God this week. With an
insistent tone, in a startling lesson in courage, he perseveres in his demands
that require God to listen and respond - but, Moses also knows when to take a
breath and wait for God's voice. We need to learn to speak to God in our own
voices with our own words and say, ask, and even demand, and then, quietly,
patiently, and, with an open heart, listen for how and when God chooses to
answer.
We are shown by Moses and then Paul
reminds us to recognize and live into our deep relationship with God with trust
and faith, to feel the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Each breath we take
comes from God and that awareness gives us the willingness, however tentative
at times, to begin to act upon it. The more we are conscious of
living our faith, the more faith grows and our prayer and action become a truer
reflection of the image of God that we already are.
The subtle twist in the lesson from Jesus
and Caesar's money is often lost much like the obscurity of an inside joke that
only works when everyone "gets it". On the surface it seems like a
teaching on the separation of Church and State but wait for it...As so very
often happens, Jesus is turning the tables on those almost-smart-enough Pharisees
- instead of falling into their trap, he caught them in his. The coin with
the Emperor Caesar's image also contained an inscription that proclaimed
the divinity of Caesar. While the coin was the mandatory
currency by the occupying Romans, for the Jews the image alone was
clearly as blasphemous as the inscription regarding divinity. Any good
Pharisee would know that from the prohibitions in both Genesis and Exodus
against graven images and divinity other than God's. While the coins were
required in everyday life, anyone on Temple grounds with such a coin in his
pocket would be guilty of the very serious offense of blasphemy. That's
why there were money changers at the Temple to exchange Roman money for an
acceptable coin for Jewish offerings. So the Pharisees' disciples were
expecting Jesus to uphold the coin, perhaps even on Temple grounds, and then
they could proclaim him as a blasphemer. No such luck. When Jesus tosses off
the "Give therefore to the Emperor the things that are the emperor's,
and to God the things that are God's," the Pharisees' disciples were
amazed because they suddenly knew the joke was on them. It has been
suggested that perhaps, in his quietly subversive way, Jesus was hinting
about a payback to Caesar - "Give Caesar what
he deserves?" We are called to give the
currency of ourselves to God's purpose. We are the other side of the coin in
God's pocket.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~
O Lord, our God, because Moses
asked, You gave Your presence and favor through him to us. We ask that You awaken
our faith through each breath You give us, that we may serve You with joy, in
the hope of Christ, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Holy
God, Living and True
RESPONSE: Renew
our strength and courage
~ O Lord, our God, No matter what coin we
render to political power, our greatest currency is we, ourselves, who are made
in Your image. Let our actions, voices, and words in the houses of government in
this World, in this Nation, and on the local streets and roads of our lives,
always reflect Your graciousness and mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Holy
God, Living and True
Renew our strength and courage
~
O Lord, our God, soothe and heal all who live in chronic
pain, worry, and hopelessness, and rejuvenate those who give love and care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for
those in need…
Holy
God, Living and True
Renew our strength and courage
~ O Lord, our God, our hearts are full of
love and thanksgiving for
all You have called home to glory and rejoicing in new life through Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Holy
God, Living and True
Renew our strength and courage
~ O Lord,
our God, we pause in this moment to
offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and
memorials, aloud or silently…
Holy
God, Living and True
Renew our strength and courage
~ O Lord, our God, magnify Your presence in
and through all who teach us Your
Word, hear our needs, preside at the Eucharist, and whose life work is to walk
with us toward You. We
pray especially for:
The Celebrant adds:
O God Most High, keep us close in Your holy heart, let us always be
reminded of Your constancy, to ask often for Your favor, and to be conscious of
how to serve You in every moment of this brief and mortal life. We ask
this through our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, who
together with You, reign as One God now and forever. Amen.
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