Archives for October 2014

The Liturgy this Sunday highlights the vital role that love is to have in our lives. The Greek word used in the Biblical texts is agape, which means a giving of self for the good of others. St. Paul reminds us that the Lord Jesus himself is the supreme model of this love. We are to imitate him.

Jesus summarizes all of God’s expectations for us with the two-fold commandment to love God and our neighbor. Everything we are to do in a Christ-like manner hangs on these two faces of love.

Today we reflect on an act of love that is very important in our life as a parish — our commitment of financial support. The portion of our financial resources we offer is an act of love of God and an act of love of neighbor. Through what actions do you demonstrate your love of God and neighbor?

“Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” It wasn’t the response the Pharisees expected. Their question to Jesus had to do with whether it was lawful to pay the census tax to the Romans. Jesus steers away from their trap and takes them to another level.

Jesus made them – and makes us – think about what and who belongs to God. We belong to God because we are created by God in God’s own image and likeness. We belong to God because we  are baptized and confirmed into the people of God. And everything we have can be traced to God, the Source. The posture of a faithful follower of Christ is to see everything as gift from God.

What does it mean for you to belong to God? How do you show that everything you have in the end belongs to God?