Prayer
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge and pay respect to the original and ongoing custodians of the land upon which our offices are situated.We commit to actively working alongside First Nations people for healing, reconciliation and justice.
The Catholic education faith community is inclusive and acknowledges that we are all made in the image and likeness of God and we are created in love. People of all faiths, genders, sexualities, abilities and cultures are therefore respected equally in the Sandhurst Catholic community.
We acknowledge the pain and suffering of all who have been hurt in body, mind and spirit by those who have betrayed the trust placed in them.
May we all stand tall, stand firm, grounded in truth, together as one.
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew 22:15-21
The Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
The Word of the Lord
Thanks Be to God
Spiritual Reflection
Matthew shines a light on the relationship between religion and politics. The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus by asking whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. He responds with the famous words, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
This statement highlights the importance of distinguishing between civic duties and spiritual commitments. It teaches us that while we live in the world and participate in it, we must also remain true to our faith. It reminds us that our religious and secular worlds can coexist, but our spiritual priorities should always guide our actions.
Where have you experienced a crisis of faith in our world?
How did it feel?
How did prayer support your discernment?
The Middle East is in crisis. Let us prayer for them today.
Concluding Prayer
God of everlasting Love
We pray for peace during this troubling times. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord
Amen