Scripture Study for
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 45:1, 4–6 / Psalm 96:7b / 1 Thessalonians 1:1–5b / Matthew 22:15–21
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Understanding the Word
By Br. John R. Barker, OFM
In the Bible, Cyrus of Persia is credited with ending the Babylonian exile. Yet Isaiah is careful to note that Cyrus, unknowingly, is an agent of the God of Israel, who is using him to defeat Babylon and restore the Chosen People to their land. This is why Cyrus is called here the Lord’s “anointed” (Messiah). Cyrus might be expected to believe that one of his own national gods was responsible for assuring his victories, but this is not the case. In fact, God insists, there are no other gods. The larger implication is that the sovereign reach of God extends well beyond Israel to include all of earth’s rulers, most of whom do not even know this God (yet).
When Paul left Thessalonica his companions Timothy and Silvanus stayed behind, joining him later in Corinth with a report of conditions in the northern city. The good report prompts Paul’s thanksgiving. Throughout the letter Paul will attend to the question of Christ’s return, a theme signaled here by the reference to “endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The basis for their faith, love, and hope is the gospel, whose truth was made evident in power. Evidently the Thessalonians had experienced something that allowed them to believe the gospel was more than just another philosophy or religious system. The truth of the gospel was made evident to them, in some way, by its fruits.
The trap set for Jesus places him in a bind. If he refuses to pay the Roman tax, he’s a rebel. If he pays the tax too eagerly, some would consider him a traitor to his people. Jesus cleverly avoids the trap by contrasting the image of Caesar with the image of God. The coin is stamped with the image of Caesar; humans are stamped with the image of God (Genesis 1:27; 9:6). The coin belongs to Caesar, so it’s just a piece of metal; if he wants his coin back, give it to him. Jesus is far more concerned about making sure that God gets back what belongs to God; that is what Jesus’ mission is about.